News - Queensland Rail News
Queensland Government loan to interlinksq hub
Queensland Rail NewsInterLinkSQ, the planned intermodal hub linked to Inland Rail, has gained $12.6 million in Queensland government loan funding.
Located in Charlton, near Toowoomba, InterLinkSQ, along with Wellcamp Airport, are and will be jewels in the city’s logistics crown, with its road and rail aspect providing a modal trifecta.
Construction is expected to begin as early as the first quarter of 2022 with construction completion in the last quarter of 2022, the initiative having gained a wider profile almost seven years ago to the day.
The cash comes from the Queensland Jobs Fund and aims to support 36 construction jobs, according to deputy premier and infrastructure minister Dr Steven Miles, who insists the facility "will vastly improve its productivity and create jobs in the Darling Downs region".
"Investing in productivity building infrastructure is a key part of the plan for economic recovery from Covid-19," Miles said.
"This $16.1 million terminal will provide better facilities for firms to transfer freight between trucks and trains using highly efficient multi-modal connectivity.
"The first phase of developing the terminal will lead to lower transport costs and flow-on economic benefits to the transport and logistics sectors throughout the region and beyond.
"InterlinkSQ will engage global shipping firm Seaway Intermodal to lease and operate the terminal.
"Local producers and exporters will be able to reduce transport-related costs, consolidate goods and then transport them in bulk by road or rail."
The proponent, Interlink Global Logistics Pty Ltd, will contribute the remaining $3.5 million for the $16.1 million project.
The scope of works includes new rail infrastructure, 1.7ha of hardstand for loading and unloading operations and container storage, entrance roads connecting to council’s road network, earthworks, electrical infrastructure, and office blocks.
"Continued development of the 63-hectare terminal over the next 15 years will provide space for cold storage, warehousing, food and manufacturing facilities, container hardstand areas, including development of 39 hectares for multi-purpose industrial use," Miles said.
"When the project is completed, it is expected to support the development of a further 400 hectares of industrial zoned land beyond the InterlinkSQ development.
"This land is strategically and conveniently located between the InterLinkSQ Intermodal Terminal Project site and the Warrego Highway/Toowoomba Second Range Crossing and will become a key distribution hub."
Interlink Global Logistics chairman John Dornbusch said the loan ensures facility will be constructed to benefit producers and logistics operators and create a legacy of jobs well into the future.
"The terminal will provide seamless connectivity to the Port of Brisbane via the existing Queensland Rail owned West Moreton Rail Line and will have in excess of three kilometres of frontage to the proposed Inland Rail alignment," Dornbusch added.
The project gained a federal government green light in the first round of Inland Rail Interface Improvement Program funding.
This was for a "proposal to investigate the establishment of the South West Intermodal Project, which includes a primary regional aggregation and distribution hub in Toowoomba and smaller regional feeder hubs. The proposal indicated it has the potential to provide more efficient and lower cost freight movements through a ‘hub and spoke’ logistics network and an efficient interface between the regional rail network and Inland Rail", the program states.
This article first appeared on www.fullyloaded.com.au