QR’s 2006 COALRAIL Infrastructure Master Plan for Queensland was developed to provide certainty—for QR and industry—on future capital investment in the Queensland coal systems over the next five years. The plan was also one of QR’s commitments to the Queensland Competition Authority in the 2005 Access Undertaking. 

As a key partner in the coal supply chains in Queensland, QR recognises that the successful future of the Queensland coal industry requires all participants to work together to determine the best possible infrastructure expansion paths. 

The 2006 COALRAIL Infrastructure Master Plan and future annual plans will provide QR Network Access’ customers and stakeholders with information on coal system capacity and potential expansion options.  The Master Plan will allow industry participants to gain a greater understanding of the dynamics of the coal systems, highlight where action can best be directed to improve overall throughput, and harmonise decisions on optimal investments. 

Addendum to the 2006 COALRAIL Infrastructure Master Plan

On 24 July 2007 in Brisbane, a by invitation only industry forum took place to discuss details contained in the Addendum to the 2006 COALRAIL Infrastructure Master Plan.  The Addendum was published and distributed to the industry representatives identified in QR's Access Undertaking on 13 September 2007.

Proposed projects include:

• Jilalan Rail Yard Upgrade
• Blackwater Duplications
• Early Works for the Northern Missing Link
• Preliminary Early Works for Rail Infrastructure for Wiggins Island Coal Terminal                  

Industry endorsement for these projects is currently being sought.  Outcomes from this process will be published on QR's website in November.

2007 COALRAIL Infrastructure Master Plan

QR sees the master planning as an annual process, continuing to update the expansion paths for known commitments. The 2006 COALRAIL Infrastructure Master Plan covers general expansion capital expenditure and concentrates on known commitments for the Goonyella, Blackwater, Moura and Newlands systems. The plan does not cover asset replacement expenditure or mine-specific capital expenditure. 

Future updates to the COALRAIL  Infrastructure Master Plan will be provided generally on an annual basis for discussion with stakeholders.  Future master plans will cover:

• proposed tonnages beyond present known commitments in the Central Queensland coal region that have been identified by industry as areas of interest
• additional work on the expansion paths for the Western System
• additional work on potential cross-system expansion paths.                             

2005 Access Undertaking

QR’s 2005 Access Undertaking was approved by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) on 30 June 2006. The Access Undertaking sets down clear guidelines for access to and operation on the QR rail network. It provides an important framework for managing QR’s regulatory asset base. 

Under this framework, QR Network Access must obtain the QCA’s agreement for additional assets to be included in QR’s regulatory asset base. Recognising the keen interests of the various stakeholders, QR Network Access proposed to work with industry to undertake a master planning process for the Queensland coal rail network. 

The 2006 COALRAIL Infrastructure Master Plan is the outcome of this planning process.

The Access Undertaking is subject to periodic revision. The 2005 Access Undertaking applies from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2009. 

The 2005 Access Undertaking documentation can be found on the QR Network Access website - www.networkaccess.qr.com.au/downloads/undertaking/undertaking.asp