Ambitions need private support and upgrades elsewhere
Richmond is a small town in north-western Queensland with big intermodal livestock hub plans.
Those plans would see a $900,000 livestock loading upgrade and new facility, in line with state government policy, and cash has been spent on getting them up on the council side.
All it apparently needs is private investment and Townsville infrastructure development to take it forward.
“Following consultation with Richmond Shire Council, we commissioned a study for about $50,000 to consider options to improve the rail siding at Richmond to move more freight on rail,” a Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) spokesperson tells ATN of the project midway between Mt Isa and Townsville.
“The study is in the final stages of review and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2017.
“It includes consultation with QR [Queensland Rail] and the Richmond Shire Council.
“Once complete, the study will be provided to Richmond Shire Council and other stakeholders for their information and consideration.
“The Queensland Government is committed to helping shift freight from roads onto rail.”
Richmond Shire Council has told local news service North Queensland Register up to $400,000 from private business interests would be needed for the loading upgrade while the hub itself
“Richmond has been identified as a pre-delivery centre for live export cattle because we are located within a suitable travel time frame to Townsville’s port,” it quotes Richmond Shire Council mayor John Wharton as saying, adding that road trans would work in conjunction with the rail component.
But such plans would hinge also on the bringing the rail corridor to Townsville port up to scratch.