A key Northern Queensland body has cited efficient and cost-effective freight logistics across the entire North West corridor as “high priority” for 2025 as they seek to keep the region thriving.
Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Development Zone (MITEZ) CEO Maria Jones said both road and rail freight options are important to the future of the region.
“We need both but more importantly we need to focus on getting projects over the line so that we increase volumes and keep the North West thriving – by doing this there will be plenty of work for both trucks and trains,” she said.
“Road and rail both play a role in the logistic supply chain from Mount Isa to Townsville, both are equally important but we need to play to the strengths of each mode.
“Over long distances, with bulk loads, the 1000km Mount Isa Rail-line is the winner.
“Additionally the more volume we can put on rail, the less the cost to proponents as well as less wear and tear on the highways.
“Trucking on the other hand is more nimble, most effective for shorter distances and can go from door to door.
“MITEZ will be working with the State Government and their freight/logistic agencies to see how we can reduce costs and increase the effectiveness of rail.
“For a number of MITEZ members, freight costs are significant and can be the difference between their project succeeding or failing; we have spoken about the issues for years, now is the time to implement some solutions.”
MITEZ is a regional organisation representing seven local government areas across the northern parts of Queensland. MITEZ encompasses Mount Isa, Cloncurry, McKinlay, Richmond, Flinders, Charters Towers and Townsville, a total land area of 271,732 square kilometres.
Strategically located, MITEZ forms a vital corridor connecting the extensive mineral and agricultural resources of the region to the rest of Queensland, Australia, and to international markets through road, rail, air and sea transport. Queensland’s resource-rich outback has undergone significant diversification in recent years, with new markets and industries fuelling growth among all MITEZ members. Our organisation is committed to maintaining its existing investments and to investigating new opportunities as they arise, helping to accelerate growth in the region and securing its economic future for decades to come.
With a Federal election due this year, member for the Federal Traeger electorate, which includes the local government areas of Burke, Doomadgee, Carpentaria, Croydon, Etheridge, Charters Towers, Mount Isa, Cloncurry, McKinlay, Richmond and Flinders , Kapper Australia Party leader Robbie Katter said finding efficiencies and enhancing opportunities across key regional transport networks like the Mount Isa to Townsville corridor had been re-affirmed as one of his major priorities.
Fresh off the back of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to Mount Isa last week during which he lauded the CopperString project, Mr Katter said addressing issues around rail, road and air transport was key to protecting and developing the North West’s economic success.
He believes that stemming the flow of bulk freight transport from the Great Northern Railway to the road, which has occurred at a rate of 38 per cent of tonnage in recent years, is essential to ensuring the North West region is primed for the economic growth that CopperString will bring.
Mr Katter said that, at a minimum, this 38 percent road freight figure needed to be returned to the rail where it belongs.
“Just as an example of one industry, we have 30-40,000 less cattle being carted on the rail line in the last three years than in 2015,” he said.
“Holistically, this is not a positive change for anyone – we have 50 per cent spare capacity currently on the line and it is in everyone’s interests for it to be used.”
Mr Katter said at the outset driving up the rail’s haulage need not cost the Crisafulli LNP Government a cent on capital, and instead could be achieved by adjusting the state-owned asset’s pricing policies and reducing access charges for users.
Additionally, the Member for Traeger wants to see the Flinders Highway from Townsville to Mount Isa upgraded as a priority with overtaking lanes and crossing upgrades the first cabs off the rank.
“Our trucking industry is the backbone of connectivity for all rural and regional parts of Australia, and particularly in the North West where we have some of the biggest distances between communities in the country,” he said.
“A balance between rail and road haulage is just common sense – we need efficiencies across the entire transport network that not only provide for our current needs but also prime us for a bigger future.
“The suggestion that the Queensland Government should get a hall-pass on investing in and ensuring the efficient use of a 150-year-old rail-line because road transport is possible is myopic and ignorant of history.
“The North West is an industry powerhouse and we need transport infrastructure that allows us to reach our potential.”
