# Queensland Freight Network and Discussion **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Tags:** freight, discussion, heavy-rail\ **Created:** [11 August 2025 08:52 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717 "2025-08-11T08:52:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Verbatim9)\ **Post date:** [11 August 2025 08:52 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/1 "2025-08-11T08:52:14Z")
[https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/qld-business/aurizon-kicks-off-potential-4bn-sale-of-49-per-cent-of-central-queensland-rail-network/news-story/0f8184706bb1ceef84a7ff59452299b6](https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/qld-business/aurizon-kicks-off-potential-4bn-sale-of-49-per-cent-of-central-queensland-rail-network/news-story/0f8184706bb1ceef84a7ff59452299b6) Aurizon kicks off potential $4bn sale of 49 per cent of Central Queensland Rail Network ---
**Author:** ![Redrient](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/user_avatar/forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/redrient/32/108_2.png) [@Redrient](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Redrient)\ **Post date:** [12 August 2025 00:11 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/2 "2025-08-12T00:11:11Z")
Saw this in AFR as well. Looks like individual assets (e.g. buy back the lease on Gladstone - Rockhampton) is not on the cards, and Aurizon are looking to maintain a controlling share of whatever they are selling. ---
**Author:** ![nathandavid88](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/user_avatar/forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/nathandavid88/32/1258_2.png) [@nathandavid88](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/nathandavid88)\ **Post date:** [12 August 2025 04:20 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/3 "2025-08-12T04:20:35Z")
I suspect that Aurizon would be targeting a large, institutional investor like a sovereign wealth fund or big pension fund, the ones who generally don’t take an active managerial role in their investments. ---
**Author:** ![Redrient](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/user_avatar/forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/redrient/32/108_2.png) [@Redrient](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Redrient)\ **Post date:** [12 August 2025 04:34 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/4 "2025-08-12T04:34:22Z")
Agree. They’re likely looking for someone to provide capital now for a cut over time, but isn’t that interested in the day to day operations or management. ---
**Author:** ![Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Verbatim9)\ **Post date:** [23 August 2025 03:11 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/5 "2025-08-23T03:11:55Z")
> **[Government announces new freight strategy and action plan](https://www.railexpress.com.au/government-announces-new-freight-strategy-and-action-plan/)** > > The Federal Government has released an updated National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy and new National Action Plan.  ---
**Author:** ![Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Verbatim9)\ **Post date:** [4 September 2025 09:24 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/6 "2025-09-04T09:24:21Z")
> **[Unlocking the productivity benefits of rail freight](https://www.railexpress.com.au/unlocking-the-productivity-benefits-of-rail-freight/)** > > Australia’s productivity and quality of life is heavily dependent on the efficient movement of freight. ---
**Author:** ![Andrew21](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Andrew21](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Andrew21)\ **Post date:** [5 September 2025 06:23 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/7 "2025-09-05T06:23:38Z")
The two biggest problems facing rail freight in Queensland is the track gauge difference and the current track alignment. A close third is the lack of capacity on corridors like the North Coast Line which really should be duplicated. There needs to be some serious investment in infrastructure. Nothing significant will change until this happens. Currently you have freight trains puttering along at 80km/h (if they’re lucky) on alignments that are over a century old. Really, they should be doing at least 100km/h if not faster and be on a straighter, flood resistant alignment. They also should look long term at putting standard gauge connections into places such as Gladstone and Townsville. Train can be cheaper but it also needs to be time competitive. That is where it is sorely lacking, especially in QLD. ---
**Author:** ![Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Verbatim9)\ **Post date:** [30 October 2025 07:21 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/8 "2025-10-30T07:21:23Z")
> **[Urgent need for freight reform](https://www.railexpress.com.au/urgent-need-for-freight-reform/)** > > The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) took its freight reform agenda to Canberra in September. ---
**Author:** ![Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Verbatim9)\ **Post date:** [8 November 2025 23:50 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/9 "2025-11-08T23:50:17Z")
One of LNPs motions at today’s convention > 1. RAIL FREIGHT STRATEGY BUDERIM SEC > That this State Council of the LNP calls upon the State Government to :- > 2. Mandate rail freight use for all new major mines for export-bound products > 3. Incentivise containerised freight logistics for general freight and agriculture > 4. Reinvest in regional rail grain loading infrastructure, including modern silo revival > 5. Strengthen Aurizon’s role as a government-owned revenue generator for freight > 6. Introduce a freight impact levy or credit scheme, encouraging modal shift from road > 7. Develop a Queensland Freight Modal Shift Strategy 2026-2036, with targets and > corridor mapping. ---
**Author:** ![Beerwatcher](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@Beerwatcher](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Beerwatcher)\ **Post date:** [9 November 2025 02:37 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/10 "2025-11-09T02:37:59Z")
That all sounds…. pretty darn good to me. Especially incentivising mode shift from road to rail for long distance freight. ---
**Author:** ![Redrient](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/user_avatar/forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/redrient/32/108_2.png) [@Redrient](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Redrient)\ **Post date:** [9 November 2025 02:47 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/11 "2025-11-09T02:47:34Z")
It sounds good to me too, but isn’t 25 under ‘government owned’ for Aurizon just straight up untrue? Issue aside, it is a disappointment to see trackside grain silos in my part of the world with loaders facing out to the street instead of towards the tracks - Warwick and Clifton being two cases in point. Rail grain loading only really happens at Goondiwindi and Thallon, and occasionally at Talwood. ---
**Author:** ![ari](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/user_avatar/forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/ari/32/92_2.png) [@ari](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/ari)\ **Post date:** [10 November 2025 03:49 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/12 "2025-11-10T03:49:51Z")
> [@Redrient](#): > > It sounds good to me too, but isn’t 25 under ‘government owned’ for Aurizon just straight up untrue? Is it possible that someone on the state council of the LNP thinks that Aurizon is still owned by QR? Surely not, right? ---
**Author:** ![tazzer9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@tazzer9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/tazzer9)\ **Post date:** [10 November 2025 05:29 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/13 "2025-11-10T05:29:47Z")
Auzurion not helping by still having visible qr logos on some of there rollingstock ---
**Author:** ![Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Verbatim9)\ **Post date:** [15 November 2025 03:39 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/14 "2025-11-15T03:39:37Z")
> **[BHP launches Australia’s first electric locomotives](https://www.australianmining.com.au/bhp-launches-australias-first-electric-locomotives/)** > > Australia has welcomed its first purpose-built battery-electric locomotives (BELs), with BHP leading the charge in the Pilbara. Electric locomotives being rolled out in the Pilbara ---
**Author:** ![Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Verbatim9)\ **Post date:** [6 May 2026 09:10 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/15 "2026-05-06T09:10:27Z")
The new Inland rail alternative The case for higher productivity vehicles [The case for higher productivity vehicles](https://share.google/HGkwrWAZB6kTQ5TRY) ---
**Author:** ![Metro](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/user_avatar/forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/metro/32/237_2.png) [@Metro](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Metro)\ **Post date:** [9 October 2026 21:54 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/16 "2026-10-09T21:54:55Z")
Loading and Unloading Electric Freight [![](https://d2ncxwic62bt2e.cloudfront.net/original/2X/9/9b0171f3a66740de5c531d92244be954304066d9.jpeg "How Do You Load Freight Onto an Electric Train?") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL7SUKZIw7s) ---
**Author:** ![rowangray](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/user_avatar/forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/rowangray/32/5835_2.png) [@rowangray](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/rowangray)\ **Post date:** [11 October 2026 23:56 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/queensland-freight-network-and-discussion/717/17 "2026-10-11T23:56:48Z")
> **[Queensland Rail rolls out new incentives to get freight moving across...](https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/mediacentre/queensland-rail-rolls-out-new-incentives-to-get-freight-moving-across-regional-network)** > # Queensland Rail rolls out new incentives to get freight moving across regional network > > 8/10/2026 > > - Freight operators will soon benefit from two new incentives aimed at making rail freight more cost-effective, connecting more Queensland goods to customers. > - From January 2027, a Rail Freight Container Incentive Scheme will reduce the cost of transporting new containerised freight on sections of the North Coast line, Mount Isa line, Central West line and South West system. > - Discounted access charges for fuel transported on the Mount Isa line will encourage uptake of rail freight, helping lower costs and increase freight volumes on the network. > > Queensland Rail is rolling out two new incentives designed to lower operating costs for new and existing freight operators across the rail network, boosting regional investment and keeping Queensland communities connected. > > The incentives form part of the Queensland Government’s Queensland Freight Delivery Plan 2026, focussed on delivering a more productive, reliable and resilient freight system. > > The Rail Freight Container Incentive Scheme will provide a rebate of up to 50 per cent, helping eligible new and existing customers grow their containerised freight across sections of the North Coast line, Mount Isa line, Central West line and South West system. > > The discount will be eligible on any new containerised freight being moved. > > On the Mount Isa line, a discount on access charges for fuel freight will also encourage greater use of rail, helping reduce transport costs, while supporting industry growth in the North West. > > This discount builds on the existing 10 per cent subsidy on below-rail access charges and 30 per cent subsidy on rock phosphate access charges for Mount Isa line users. > > Fewer trucks on key corridors means smoother road access to and from rail terminals, improving overall freight flow, reducing environmental impacts and improving road safety. > > On average, one fully loaded freight train could take up to 40 trucks off the road with rail freight producing 16 times less carbon pollution than road freight per tonne-kilometre travelled. > > Queensland Rail Head of Regional Scott Cornish said he was pleased to see the incentives delivered, lowering barriers to entry and simplifying access for operators. > > “These discounts are part of our commitment to facilitating more freight on rail and improving safety, reliability and affordability across the network to better serve Queensland communities," Mr Cornish said. > > “Operators could save up to $280 per container moved depending on the sector. > > “Discounted access charges for fuel transportation on the Mount Isa line will help address the high-volume diesel demands due to the extensive mining operations in the region. > > “A full train of fuel on rail could save operators up to $50,000 per train. > > “We encourage operators to take advantage of these incentives and look forward to seeing freight volumes increase on rail." > > The Rail Freight Container Incentive Scheme will commence from 1 January 2027 and will run for three years, supporting businesses looking to expand their freight operations, while the Mount Isa line fuel discount is now available. > > ENDS