The Melbourne to Brisbane inland rail line will inevitably impact Queensland farmers on prime agricultural land, a Senate committee has heard.
The federal government in September announced the route would run between Yelarbon and Gowrie, cutting directly across the Condamine flood plain in the state's Darling Downs region which includes Toowoomba.
Queensland senator Pauline Hanson criticised the alignment, saying it was determined to destroy properties on prime farming land.
But Australian Rail Track Corporation chief executive John Fullerton said there had been an exhaustive process to choose the route which needed to be road-competitive and efficient.
The Melbourne to Brisbane corridor would use existing railway where possible which is about 70 per cent of the line.
"But inevitably, there will be some impact on landowners," Mr Fullerton told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Monday.
"Minimising the impact to landowners is a very high priority. I don't underestimate the concerns landowners have."
The final route will depend on its impact on properties and other factors, Mr Fullerton said.
Senator Hanson criticised the consultation process, but Mr Fullerton said he believed there had been considerable work done with the community.
Committee chairman Barry O'Sullivan said local MP David Littleproud had been inundated with concerns about the location of the line on a flood plain.
"If you find a point where there are so many features about this alignment that make it cost-prohibitive or you can't overcome the engineering challenges or the impacts on the community, will you retreat from this particular alignment?" Senator O'Sullivan asked.
Mr Fullerton agreed if a range of concerns weighed against the route, the alignment could be changed.
Over the next 12-to-18 months environmental and engineering studies will be undertaken.
While 25 per cent of Melbourne to Brisbane freight is currently on rail, ARTC estimates that will rise to 65 per cent after the new line opens in 2025.
