Millions of taxpayer dollars were spent on a stretch of central Queensland rail line which could soon be too expensive to use.
"This volume of coal traffic had effectively supported lower access tariffs along this section for all users," the spokesperson said."Aurizon Network has aimed to keep costs to a minimum whilst maintaining the track to the required safety standards for users but acknowledges a tariff increase is necessary.""Road freight, with the cost of fuel has been going up steadily," he said.
"To shift that volume of grain efficiently and quickly during the harvest period — just wouldn't be possible via road." Mr Taylor said even if the grains industry could get enough trucks, that would have a major impact on road conditions.Central Highlands Development Corporation CEO Peter Dowling said the proposed price hike would have flow on effects through the whole supply chain and even impact outside of the region."If they don't have that [rail line], that is to the detriment of the economy and to those businesses directly.
The Central Queensland Inland Port was built less than five years ago to freight produce and goods to Brisbane, Gladstone and Townsville by rail, with the expectation it would reduce supply chain costs.
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