Wiggins Island Rail Project (WIRP)
The Wiggins Island Rail Project (WIRP) is the staged development of new rail lines and upgrading of existing lines to service the new Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) at the Port of Gladstone.
WIRP will create a vital link between the new Wiggins Island Coal Terminal and mines in the Southern Bowen and Surat Basins.It represents Aurizon’s commitment to the future growth of Queensland coal industry. This project will deliver a significant 30% increase in coal tonnage transported from the Southern Bowen Basin by 2015.
The Wiggins Island Rail Project (WIRP) is made up of interdependent infrastructure projects across the North Coast Line,Blackwater Rail System and Moura Rail Systems.
In Stage One, Aurizon will deliver six rail infrastructure projects that will support WICET’s 27 million tonnes per annum capacity servicing the needs of Stage One mining customers - Xstrata Coal, Aquila Resources, Bandanna Energy, Caledon Resources, Cockatoo Coal, Northern Energy Corporation, Wesfarmers Curragh and Yancoal.
The table below provides a summary of the WIRP Stage One projects.
| Stage 1 - Sub Project |
Works to be undertaken |
| Balloon Loop |
Construction of a single rail balloon loop near Yarwun to enable unloading of coal for the new WICET port facility. |
| North Coast Line Upgrade |
Includes construction of additional rail track along the North Coast Railway between Aldoga and the Balloon Loop. |
| Moura System Upgrade |
Upgrade of existing rail formation to the east of the Moura system. |
| Rocklands to Stanwell Duplication |
Duplication of 18km of track between Rocklands and Stanwell. |
Dingo to Bluff Duplication
|
Duplication of 23.9km of track between Dingo and Bluff.
|
| Bauhinia North Upgrade |
Upgrade from Rangal to (but not including) the Bandanna spur connection in the north to provide improved rail access on the Bauhinia branch line. |
Aurizon is also working with the coal industry to conduct studies for potential future projects to link future mine
development with WICET.
Under Construction
Construction on three of the six infrastructure projects in WIRP Stage One commenced in mid 2012. These are
- a 13km rail balloon loop near Gladstone
- the upgrade of existing rail formation on the Moura Rail System near Biloela
- duplication of 18km track near Rockhampton between Rocklands and Stanwell
Aerial view of the Wiggins Island Balloon Loop construction works and project site office near Reid Road, Gladstone (October 2012)
Preparation works for track formation on the Moura Upgrade Project (July 2012)
Rocklands to Stanwell track duplication works along the Blackwater System (October 2012)
Contact Us
If you would like further information about the Wiggins Island Rail Project please contact the Aurizon Community Engagement Team.
T: 13 23 32
E: community@aurizon.com.au