News

“We are delighted to begin work on a crucial piece of new transport infrastructure for north Queensland,” Aurizon Managing Director & CEO Lance Hockridge said.

“This project will inject millions of dollars into the local economy and provide a range of benefits to our customers and to the local community.

“This strategically-located facility will underpin the growth of our intermodal business over the coming years. It will be equipped with the latest innovation and designed to drive efficiencies, lift productivity and deliver improved services for our customers.

“We welcome the support of the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council for the project, and in ensuring the new rail infrastructure integrates with local development planning, which will significantly reduce freight traffic through inner Townsville.”

During construction Aurizon will use eight local suppliers, and generate around 120 new local jobs. Once operational the Company estimates the facility will remove around 100 trucks each day from roads in and around the Townsville central business district.

The project includes construction of a freight distribution centre, a modern container terminal and three new rail tracks specifically designed for Intermodal operations. The project site is strategically located 14km south of Townsville in Townsville State Development Area with key connections to the North Coast Rail Corridor, North West Rail Corridor and the Stuart Bypass Road.

Aurizon will also build a road link and intersection at the Stuart Bypass Road to facilitate traffic flow from major highways into the yard.

The new facility is a key part of the consolidation of Aurizon’s transport operations to Stuart from inner Townsville, which in turn will allow the redevelopment of the site.

Construction is expected to be complete later this year with the facility fully operational by the end of 2016, with all spend forming part of Aurizon’s existing committed capital plans.