April 2008

The Goonyella coal rail network capability has reached another milestone towards increased capacity with the commissioning of the Coppabella Yard Upgrade.

Minister for Transport John Mickel said the upgrade had been completed on time and within the budget of $31 million.

"This upgrade provides increased train scheduling flexibility which will mean increased tonnage throughput as well as reduced transit times and train cycle times," Mr Mickel said.

"Coppabella Yard is a key component to the successful operation of the system as it is the main scheduling point for coal trains from the north and western branches to their destinations."

"The systems new operating mode required a redevelopment of the yard to increase the number of signalled full length train roads from three to five to increase the capacity to handle the targeted tonnage levels," he said.

QR upgraded works on the Goonyella System will increase current capacity from 100 mtpa to 129 mtpa by 2010 when the associated upgrade of the Jilalan Rail Yard is completed.

The Coppabella Yard upgrade included extending the track and overhead wiring to provide five 2 kilometre long tracks; upgrading the track structure; and resignalling of the yard to include the three extra tracks plus flashing lights and boom gates on the Wanella/Spring Creek Road.

Queensland's coal industry is the largest in Australia, with about 85 per cent of the state's coal production exported.

About 85 per cent of the state's coal is produced from mines in the Bowen Basin and the remainder from mines in the Moreton and Surat Basins.

QR transports more than 160 million tonnes of coal per year.

For coal haulage operations, the interconnected system is divided into five rail systems: Newlands, Goonyella, Moura, Blackwater and Western.  These coal systems represent around 2000 kilometres of rail.

ENDS

Further enquiries: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944