Works and planning

The NSW/Qld Border to Gowrie section includes building approximately 138km of new dual gauge track and upgrading approximately 69km of track from the New South Wales/Queensland border, near Yelarbon, to Gowrie Junction, north west of Toowoomba in Queensland.

A 2km-wide study area has progressed to the formal planning and approvals process, following a comprehensive study of four alternative routes. The towns of Millmerran, Brookstead and Pittsworth, and the Wellcamp-Charlton Industrial Precinct are located within this study area.

In late 2019, the proposed project footprint was released, which identifies the area required for the construction and operation of Inland Rail. The project footprint varies in width along the line to accommodate proposed changes to local roads, earthworks, access tracks, and construction material storage and production.

Feedback from the local community and results from field studies have played a key role in determining the proposed footprint. Technical viability, safety, operational restrictions, constructability, environment, and community and property impacts have also been considered in determining the footprint.

Current and upcoming field investigations

Last updated 30 August 2023.

Location/sType of workTimingContractorWhat to expect
NSW/Queensland border to Gowrie JunctionEcology surveysOngoingAusecologyContractor conducting walk overs on properties located on and near the alignment, as agreed.

Watch a fly-through of the project

Get a birds-eye view of the Border to Gowrie project. This video shows the alignment as of February 2020. The fly-through video is for illustration purposes and for discussion and community consultation.

Visualisations

To get a sense of what your community will look like after the project has been completed, check out our visualisations of the proposed design.

Visualisations are for illustrative purposes and not to scale.

Brookstead School

View of the project reference design, looking north-east on Ware Street at Brookstead State School.

A road stretching into the distance A road with a train running beside it

Gore Highway, Pampas

View of the project reference design, which follows the existing QR rail corridor, looking south-east from the Gore Highway near the intersection of Brose Lane.

Gowrie Mountain

View of the project reference design, from Linora Drive looking north-west towards the Warrego highway.

Pittsworth

View of the project reference design, looking north-west on Pittsworth Felton Road, towards Oakey-Pittsworth Road and the Gore Highway.

Yelarbon rest area

View of the project reference design, including the proposed alignment within the existing QR rail corridor and Cunningham Highway realignment and road overpass, looking south-west towards Goondiwindi, from the Cunningham Highway near Memorial Park.

Millmerran

View of the project reference design, including proposed alignment and crossing of Millmerran-Inglewood Road, looking north between Commodore Mine and Millmerran township.

Inglewood

View of the project reference design, including proposed alignment and crossing loop, looking north towards Grays Road.

Southbrook

View of the project reference design looking north-east towards Geitz Road, Southbrook.

View of the NSW/Qld Border to Gowrie project reference design looking north-east towards Geitz Road, Southbrook