Council supports Inland Rail concepts subject to conditions
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Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has given its conditional support to several road-rail interface concepts proposed for the Inland Rail Border to Gowrie section.
The concepts, related to four local road interfaces in the Millmerran to Brookstead area, are being proposed by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) as part of its Northern Program Initial Works Package (IWP).
The ARTC’s IWP Concept Road Rail Interface Position Papers were considered by Council at its Committee Meeting on 8 March 2022 and then supported, subject to several key conditions, at the Ordinary Meeting on 15 March 2022.
TRC Mayor Paul Antonio said while Council recognised Inland Rail was a nationally significant project, it had a responsibility to seek the best outcomes for the Region.
“While Council has supported these concepts for now in the interest of collaborating on best-for-community outcomes, we recognise these concepts may be subject to change as the project further develops and with ongoing contractor involvement, and that formal approvals must also be gained by ARTC,” he said.
As part of its works program, ARTC is proposing four road-rail interface treatments for local roads that traverse the Condamine flood plain between Millmerran and Brookstead:
Hall Road – property-based solutions rather than a level crossing. Gilgai Lane – a rail over road, grade-separated interface at Gilgai Lane, removing the existing level crossing and minimising impact to ongoing landowners and transport operations. Pampas township - Harris Road, Fysh Road and Pampas Pit Road – a new active level crossing at Harris Road, realignments of Harris Road, intersection upgrades at Harris Road / Fysh Road, and intersection upgrades at Harris Road / Gore Highway. The proposal also removes an existing level crossing at Fysh Road. Elsden Road – a new active level crossing treatment at Elsden Road, with significant realignments and upgrades of Elsden Road and the Gore Highway intersection to improve intersection geometry and improve motorist safety.Mayor Antonio said Council’s support was in no way a final approval of proposals, and that its support is subject to a number of conditions including the Office of the Co-Ordinator General approving the Border to Gowrie Environmental Impact Statement and ARTC complying with any conditions; and also ensuring all the recommendations of the Independent International Panel of Experts for Flood Studies are followed.
He said other conditions included further detailed design development undertaken by ARTC and its contractors (subject to Council approval) to provide safe design outcomes and compliant design solutions for all Council infrastructure, the local road network and drainage outcomes for local communities.
“Council also wants ARTC to demonstrate further and ongoing community and stakeholder engagement to ensure the impacts of the Inland Rail project are fully addressed and mitigated for all landowners and road users,” Mayor Antonio said.
“Support is also based on a satisfactory resolution of land tenure matters, including common area road-rail interfaces.”
TRC Infrastructure Committee Chair Councillor Carol Taylor said Council wanted to ensure agreement with ARTC on issues such as management of haulage routes, traffic management, constructability, returned works and compensation arrangements.
“As a key stakeholder, Council has been providing input into the design and construction outcomes that impact on Council’s assets, including local road interactions and connectivity, utility infrastructure and transport network connectivity,” she said.
“While Council does not have statutory authority over the proposed rail alignment or land tenure issues, we will continue to collaborate with ARTC and its contractors and try to influence areas of the project where we can to seek best-for-community outcomes.”