Port of Brisbane Further Planning
The Australian and Queensland governments are investigating improved freight connectivity to the Port of Brisbane.
Providing improved freight rail connectivity to the Port of Brisbane will ease congestion, improve liveability and boost economic prosperity in South East Queensland. This supports our goals for creating an efficient, accessible, safe and sustainable transport system, and supports the Australian Government’s goal for delivering improved transport infrastructure across Australia.
The Port of Brisbane is one of Australia’s fastest growing and most diverse ports. With population growth in South East Queensland and international demand for natural resources expected to result in significant increases in demand for freight, maintaining efficient rail access to the Port of Brisbane will be critical. This will require timely investment to ensure rail freight can be transported through the network reliably and safely.
We are collaborating with the Australian Government's Department of Transport, Infrastructure, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, to progress investigations into improved freight rail connectivity to the Port of Brisbane.
Benefits
- Contributes to regional growth
- Contributes to economy
- Increases capacity
- Improves network reliability
- Improves network resilience
- Improves safety
Funding
On 29 November 2019, the Australian and Queensland governments signed the Inland Rail Bilateral Agreement enabling the delivery of Inland Rail in Queensland and the development of rail studies, including the Port of Brisbane Further Planning project, to enhance the benefits it offers the state.
The Australian Government has committed up to $20 million toward the project, with the Queensland Government providing in-kind contribution.
Investment ID 1500732
- Total investment
- $20 million
- Australian Government
- $20 million
Current status
Initial technical investigations have been completed, focused on the existing rail freight connection between Yeerongpilly and the Port of Brisbane. The Australian and Queensland governments are now working together to undertake the next stage of investigations.
The next stage of investigations will examine short, medium and longer-term improvements to the rail network that may be required between a future Inland Rail intermodal terminal at Ebenezer and the Port of Brisbane. This will include consideration of social, economic and environmental constraints as well as the value for money of any identified rail network solutions.
A Port of Brisbane Further Planning Summary Report has been developed to outline the key findings of investigations to date and next steps.
Next steps
Subject to the findings of current planning and technical investigations, the Australian and Queensland governments will determine whether the project proceeds to a detailed business case phase.
Background
The Port of Brisbane plays a significant role in the movement of freight across Queensland. It currently handles more than $65 billion of trade annually and freight in and out of the port is expected to grow at 4.8% per year. This will place increasing pressure on the existing transport network.
The port is currently connected to the interstate rail network via a rail line to the south and broader Queensland rail network via narrow gauge rail lines to the north and west. Various products are transported by rail on this network including general containerised freight, agricultural products, coal and other bulk commodities.
Sections of the existing rail line are also shared with passenger rail. Planning is required to ensure forecast growth in both passenger and freight demands can both be accommodated on the rail network.
Location map
