Leader of The Nationals in the Senate, Ron Boswell, today welcomed the announcement that Australian Transport & Energy Corridor Ltd (ATEC) would undertake a project estimated to cost $700 million to build a new rail freight line between Moree and Toowoomba, that will carry freight by 2013.

“Starting from the ground up, this new 400km line will provide the long-awaited missing link that will connect Gladstone to Perth via standard gage rail, with dual gage in Queenslandand will help to open up inland Australia,” Senator Boswell said.

“It will also create new opportunities for small Queensland regional communities along the line, as it travels through Westbrook, Pittsworth, Millmerran, Inglewood and Yelarbon before it reaches the Queensland border.

“The building of this new rail line will also likely enable coal deposits already identified at various locations on the Darling Downs to be opened up and brought into production, providing a financial boost for the entire region, for Queensland and for the nation as a whole.

”Everald Compton and his company, ATEC, have long been advocates of inland rail and they have shown that they are willing to put their money where their mouth is.

“The Coalition, through Transport Minister and Leader of The Nationals, Mark Vaile, has also indicated that we stand ready to support this historic project.

“This project will be a prime example of what can be achieved in a strong economy when governments and private interests work together to provide major infrastructure that helps to build and support industries, regional communities and the nation.

ENDS

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