MITEZ calls for national focus on Mount Isa–Townsville corridor

THE OMISSION of key northern projects from Infrastructure Australia’s national priority list highlights the challenge of ensuring productive infrastructure in the bush, development group MITEZ says.

The Mount Isa–Townsville Rail Corridor Upgrade and the Queensland Inland Freight Route were both excluded from IA’s list when it was announced this week.

The Mount Isa–Townsville Rail Corridor Upgrade is aimed at boosting capacity and reducing freight transit times between the northwest minerals province and Townsville.

The Queensland Inland Freight Route seeks to create a viable inland alternative to the Bruce Highway, linking Mungindi on the NSW border with the town of Charters Towers west of Townsville.

MITEZ chief executive Maria James said the Mount Isa–Townsville corridor remained one of Australia’s most strategically important freight and export routes, connecting the northwest minerals province to the Port of Townsville.

The corridor also supports Australia’s critical minerals, resources and manufacturing supply chains.

Ms James said the rail line played a vital role in moving minerals, agricultural products and industrial inputs between the north-west and global markets through the Port of Townsville.

“Improving logistics and freight capacity across the corridor is essential to ensuring regional communities, industries and national supply chains remain competitive,” she said.

MITEZ said investment in corridor infrastructure must remain a national priority as Australia sought to expand its critical minerals sector and strengthen sovereign manufacturing capability.

Ms James said regional infrastructure investment was essential to unlocking the economic potential of north and northwest Queensland.

Key priorities for the corridor include:

• Upgrades to the western sections of the Mount Isa–Townsville Rail Corridor.

• Improvements to inland freight routes across regional Queensland.

• Investment in energy and logistics infrastructure supporting the Northwest Minerals Province.

• Infrastructure that strengthens the Pit-to-Port and Paddock-to-Port supply chain linking Northwest Queensland to the Port of Townsville.

“Strategic investment in regional infrastructure is critical not only for north and north-west Queensland, but for Australia’s future economic growth,” Ms James said.

MITEZ said it would continue working with local governments, industry and all levels of government to advocate for infrastructure that strengthens regional productivity and long-term economic resilience.