Katter backs ambitious Cloncurry-Karumba rail plan

Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has thrown his full support behind Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited’s proposal to build a rail link from Cloncurry to Karumba, hailing it as a bold and long-overdue vision to open up the region’s economic potential.

“We applaud them,” the federal MP said. 

“Since my grandfather’s time, which was a long time ago, we have been waiting for a railway line from the North West to the Gulf. They were building it once, but when they struck gold, they stopped at Julia Creek.

“This company is doing what governments have failed to do for over a century – they’re getting on with the job, and I wholeheartedly applaud anyone involved.”

Mr Katter noted the proposed use of light rail from Nardoo Station for part of the journey, dramatically reducing transport costs. 

He also noted current reports indicated a high cost per tonne was incurred to move raw materials – something light rail and water transport could reduce significantly.

CANAL POTENTIAL

The long-time MP said it was time to reconsider using man-made canals, connecting with existing river systems in the Gulf, to make exporting more viable.

“Materials can be moved into the Leichhardt River Canals using the Panamax-class vessels,” Mr Katter said.

“Once on water, freight costs are slashed dramatically. This isn’t a transport solution; it is a nation-building project. It opens up vast areas of untapped wealth, gives us the infrastructure we should have had generations ago, and puts Australian enterprise back in the driver’s seat.”

Mr Katter said he hoped all levels of government would support the initiative, but stressed that even without it, the private sector leadership shown here was a more than welcome change.

“Too many times, we see bureaucrats and politicians sitting on their hands while regional Australia gets left behind. Well, these people aren’t waiting. They are building, and we should be backing them,” he said.