Queensland’s coal industry is the largest in Australia, with approximately 85 per cent of the state’s coal production exported.  Over the next few years, Australian coal miners will invest more than $14 billion into production expansions to capitalise on rising Asian demand.

Global demand for Queensland coal has recently surged and is predicted to continue to increase by 5% to 12% per annum in the five years to 2009/10.

With demand for Queensland coal predicted to continue to increase in line with world demand for resources, QR has implemented the COALRAIL Infrastructure Program to increase capacity and improve performance of the coal supply chains in Queensland from mine by rail to ship.

About 85% 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 Network Access’ extensive rail network links Queensland’s coal mines to six coal export terminals at four ports – Gladstone, Hay Point, Abbot Point and Brisbane – on the state's eastern seaboard, as well as to domestic coal users.

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 approximately 2000 kilometres of rail.