Transporting Coal

Coal rail network

Works in progress, including committed track-capacity expansions, will provide a total rail coal haulage capacity, including coal to domestic markets, of about 242 Mt/a during 2010. These works do not include construction of either the Northern Missing Link (North Goonyella mine to the Newlands rail system connecting to the Port of Abbot Point) or the Surat Basin rail link (from deposits near Wandoan to the Moura rail system near Banana).

Any commitment to construct either of these will be subject to demand and commercial viability.

Queensland nominal coal export rail capacities and planned expansions (PDF, 55 kB)*

Further information about QR's plans for expanding rail haulage capacity for coal is available from the Queensland CoalRail Infrastructure Program website.

In accordance with recommendations of the recent O'Donnell Report, the Queensland Government announced on 10 October 2007 that it has approved that Queensland Rail invest an additional $654 million for the purchase of rolling stock and infrastructure for Queensland's coal export system.

A second stage investment of $216 million for the purchase of an additional 920 wagons which could be necessary to meet demand in 2010-11 was also approved in principle. These new acquisitions, including the existing program and the $113 million for 510 new coal wagons announced in July 2007, brings the total investment in rolling stock to be made in forward years to $2.05 billion. This new investment will allow QR to transport up to 261 million tonnes of coal per annum.

More information

General Manager Coal
QR National, Level 10, Rail Centre
1 305 Edward St
Brisbane Qld 4000 Australia

Telephone: +61 7 3235 1470

Email: Qld Rail Coal & Freight Services at qr.coal@qr.com.au

Visit: Queensland Rail's website

Queensland coal ports summary

Queensland's modern, efficient rail network delivers large tonnages of coal to six coal export terminals which are located at four major ports.

From north to south these are Abbot Point Coal Terminal located near Bowen, Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT) and Hay Point Services Coal Terminal (HPSCT) located near Mackay, RG Tanna and Barney Point Coal Terminals at Gladstone and Fisherman Islands Coal Terminal at the port of Brisbane.

A major Coal Transport Infrastructure Investment Program has been underway since 2005 and has delivered a 52Mtpa increase in total port capacity by mid 2008.

The proposed new Wiggins Island Coal Terminal at Gladstone is in an advanced stage of planning, and further add to this capacity.

Further information on the development of coal infrastructure in Queensland is available from Queensland Transport.