Latest from your Community Consultative Committee
The Inner Darling Downs Community Consultative Committee met earlier this month. Catch up on what was discussed.
December 22, 2020
The twelfth meeting of the Inner Darling Downs Community Consultative Committee (the Committee) was held both online and in person at the Pittsworth Town Hall, Pittsworth on 1 December 2020.
This summary provides an overview of the meeting and ensures information is shared with the community at the earliest opportunity. It is a precursor to the formal meeting record, the Committee meeting minutes, which will be published on the Inland Rail website following preparation and endorsement by the Committee and Chair.
The meeting was chaired by Bill Armagnacq. Eight of the 14 Committee members attended in person, with an additional four attending online. Representatives from federal, state and local government agencies observed the meeting.
Andrew Bourne, Assistant Secretary, Inland Rail Stakeholder & Regional Delivery Branch, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (DITRDC) provided the Committee with an update on the alternative route review via Cecil Plains. Mr Bourne informed the Committee the review process is complete, and the government has confirmed the selected route for the Border to Gowrie section of Inland Rail remains the current reference design route announced by the Australian Government in September 2017.
Mr Bourne also responded to several questions asked by the Committee noting the full report is available on DITRDC’s website inlandrail.gov.au/about-us/publications-and-reports/inland-rail-b2g-alternative-route-comparison-review.
Tina O’Connell, Principal Engineer, Hydrology and Hydraulics, HDR and member of the Independent International Panel of Experts for Flood Studies in Queensland, provided an update on the panel’s work.
Ms O’Connell noted members of the public can still provide submissions to the panel with relevant information related to flooding impact via lnlandRailFloodPanel@tmr.qld.gov.au. Submissions and reports will be published as they are finalised.
The panel is reviewing existing flood modelling and reference designs against national and state engineering requirements, and industry best practice guidelines. Inland Rail provided an update on:
- a draft ‘construction pack’ circulated to Committee members prior to the meeting for discussion to determine design and construction information the Committee would like to receive
- a response to noise questions asked by the Committee regarding the impact of noise during construction and operations
- business capability workshops offering businesses training in developing and using a business capability statement ready for the construction phase of Inland Rail.
The Chair proposed the Committee run community workshops on land acquisition, with presentations from legal and tax professionals for landowner consideration. The concept was well received and will roll out in the first half of 2021 in conjunction with the Southern Darling Downs Community Consultative Committee.
The next Inner Darling Downs Community Consultative Committee meeting will occur in early 2021 and is anticipated to coincide with the release of the Border to Gowrie Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Keep an eye on our website for upcoming meetings.
