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IF the saying "dollars moves dirt" is true, the Queensland Rail Jilalan depot is a gold mine.
The coal transport hub has undergone a massive expansion to parallel
the developments at Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal and Hay Point, doing
1.2 million cubic meters of earthworks in the process.
Network Capital programs general manager Paul Hoffmann, who oversees
QR's infrastructure works, said the total project cost would be $500
million. Sarina locals would no doubt have heard at least one big bang
from their rock blasting.
"There's a significant amount of rock material," Mr Hoffmann said.
"But we've had no complaints in regard to our blasting operations."
The expansion, when completed by December next year, will increase coal
transporting capacity by 40%, or about 40 million tonnes a year. It was
the minimum demanded by the two coal ports as more mines came online
with Boom Two. QRNational Coal North general manager Warren Phillips
said the depot's expansion would also reduce the risk of derailment
delays, such as earlier this year when two coal trains derailed within
hours of each other and blocked supply for almost a week. "I don't know
if you ever get rid of those, but there will be 6km of separate track,"
Mr Phillips said. "If there was an accident on the new line, trains
could use the old one and vice-versa."
Mr Phillips said the findings of the investigation into the accident
that occurred within the Jilalan facility had not been finalised.
"The findings were due to be submitted shortly. We'll certainly act on what recommendations the investigators put forward."
Talking about the capacity of the newly expanded facility, Mr Phillips
said it had the level of flexibility required to move the coal. It was
basically built to be expanded even more.
"We've made it relatively easy to expand capacity and you would hope that would happen. It depends on timing and coal price."
Source - Daily Mercury May 30 2008 - http://www.dailymercury.com.au/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3774111
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