QR National approves $185 million expansion of Goonyella coal rail network
QR National has approved a $185 million expansion of the Goonyella coal rail network to support a major expansion of the Hay Point Coal Terminal, near Mackay.
QR National’s Goonyella System Expansion (GSE) 140 Project will provide an additional 11 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) capacity on the Goonyella network, taking it to 140 mtpa.
The Goonyella system supplies two export terminals, Hay Point Coal Terminal and Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, south of Mackay.
The rail expansion by QR National will support a project by BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) to lift the capacity at Hay Point Coal Terminal.
The Goonyella system is already the largest single export coal network in Australia and this capacity enhancement takes it to another level.
Delivery of this major rail expansion project for the Goonyella system will be aligned with the port expansion that is due to come on line in early 2014.
The project includes an electricity feeder station as well as track duplication