Media statement: Inland Rail flood modelling

ARTC Inland Rail Chief Executive Richard Wankmuller said the community could be confident in the robust flood modelling to date.

“We have the utmost confidence in our flood modelling, which has been conducted, reviewed and verified separately by the country’s and Queensland’s leading hydrology experts”, Mr Wankmuller said.

“Our confidence comes from the fact that five different companies – all experts in their field, who’ve done this many times before, have confirmed that this flood modelling is comprehensive, meets industry standards and is fit for purpose.

“The science tells us there is no premise to change the route based on flood modelling and the economics tells us that this route was the most viable, cost effective option.

“We have long-acknowledged the concerns of the community, which is why we continue to incorporate their local knowledge into our model and how we design the rail line that will cross the Condamine floodplain.

“It’s important governments and the community have confidence in the engineering and science that allows countries like Australia to deliver world-class infrastructure.”

Notes to Editors

• The alignment for the Border to Gowrie section was adopted by the Australian Government after an independent analysis of alternative corridor options in 2016 – 2017 undertaken by AECOM and Aurecon and overseen by an independent Project Reference Group. ARTC is now doing the detailed work necessary to meet the engineering challenge and deliver a safe solution. Details of the route selection can be found in the Inland Rail route history document
  
• ARTC has engaged industry recognised service providers (Aurecon and AECOM) to design and validate the flood models.
• ARTC has engaged two leading consultants (Arup and SMEC) as Technical Advisors for Inland Rail, to further review compliance of the flood modelling and hydrology reports against industry standards and the Inland Rail program requirements.
• The modelling used by ARTC service providers aligns with Australian industry standards.
• The community can have utmost confidence in the well-documented success of these companies in designing rail lines and other significant infrastructure in Australia and throughout the world.
• These service providers have worked on similar flooding solutions in Queensland including the $296 million Yeppen South project, funded by the Australian and Queensland Government to provide an elevated crossing of the Bruce Highway across the Yeppen Floodplain amongst others.
• Further, the Southern Darling Downs Community Consultative Committee nominated independent flood modelling expert Dr John Macintosh, from Water Solutions Pty Ltd, who was engaged to provide quality assurance to the work undertaken by our service providers.
• Dr Macintosh has 25 years water engineering experience and deemed the modelling process sound.
• In the comprehensive modelling work that’s already been conducted by these world class experts, nothing has emerged to suggest other design routes need to be considered.
• Our flood modelling will be further reviewed as part of the Environmental Impact statement process through the independent Queensland Office of the Coordinator General.
• The Queensland and Commonwealth Governments signed an Intergovernmental Agreement late last year that gave this project the green light.
• As part of that agreement, a further panel of international experts will be established to review the flood modelling.
• ARTC’s Inland Rail is headquartered in Queensland and currently employs over 300 people in Brisbane, Gatton and Toowoomba.
• Inland Rail is expected create 7000 jobs in QLD and will be a $7.3 billion economic injection to the state.

Media contact: Amber Gilmore | 1300 196 401