Cattlemen hit by train shutdowns in Qld

6 Jul 2012, 6:09 pm   -   Source: AAP
Safety concerns sparked the emergency suspension of train services in Queensland's central west. (AAP)

Safety concerns sparked the emergency suspension of train services in Queensland's central west. (AAP)

The suspension of train services in Qld's central west could add $20,000 a week to the cost of moving stock in just one district, cattlemen say.

RELATED

Queensland cattlemen will be among the worst-hit victims of an emergency suspension of train services in the state's centre and west.

The rail safety regulator has ordered the suspensions because the government says safety inspections after recent floods were checked off a list, but never actually done.

More than 70 bridges must be checked, leaving authorities no choice but to shut down passenger, cattle and other freight services immediately.

Queensland Rail will work with passengers, local communities and graziers to find alternative transport, Transport Minister Scott Emerson says.

"A number of the bridges have pylons that are permanently immersed in water and this will be a significant program of work that could take up to a month," he said.

The suspensions apply to lines operated by Queensland Rail, including Emerald to Winton via Longreach, the Clermont branch line and the Springsure branch line.

AgForce, a rural lobby group, said the closures could add $20,000 a week to the cost of shipping cattle out of the Clermont district alone.

Spokesman Peter Anderson said the closures were another hit the industry didn't need.

"We already have a failing road network that can't keep up with the expanding a resource sector," he told AAP.

"Now we'll have to put another 20 to 25 road trains a week on the Clermont road between Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning."

Mr Anderson said it is not just a matter of the trucks extending their trip from the rail heads.

The configuration of the trucks has to change from three double decker trailers down to two between some towns.

"That means more time and money, and extends the time the cattle are on the trucks," he said.

Mount Isa MP Rob Katter says it proves Labor failed to look after regional infrastructure to the detriment of the state's economy.

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube