Adani's central Qld rail line is 'a fatal mistake': farmers

13/06/2012 - Indian mining giant Adani's planned rail line through a central Queensland flood plain is a fatal mistake, farmers warn. Petrina Berry

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The state government last week announced two rail corridors will go ahead in the Bowen and Galilee coal and gas basins, one running east-west and the other north-south.

The decision ended a stalemate between eight proponents the government had asked to agree on one corridor out of the area, which is set to stage the next resources boom.

But a group of farmers say the state government's failure to include them in the final rail corridor negotiations is a mistake.

Tricia Dennis, whose husband's family have lived in the region for 120 years, says the Adani Group's proposed east-west line runs through a massive flood plain linked to the Belyando River and Mistake Creek.

"Massive volumes of water flow through this area during December to mid-March," Mrs Dennis said.

"It will wash away the line and they won't be able to get big machinery in to fix it."

She says coal companies will not only be affected but it will also alter the natural flow of water and cause erosion.

"It will destroy good agricultural land, cause loss of livestock," Mrs Dennis said.

"We are furious with the government. They have left us in the lurch."

Landholders are suggesting the Adani line would be better off further north on higher ground.

Mrs Dennis says Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney has agreed to meet with landholders and a representative from the Isaac Regional Council but a date was yet to be set.

Adani, which was contacted for comment, has met with local landholders.

Seeney told reporters an agreement on the exact rail corridor had yet to be reached between Adani and stakeholders.

He says it is up to Adani to negotiate with landholders.

"I will be making sure all the railway companies know they will have to properly compensate landholders, respect their management rights and provide access both under and over the line for their livestock," Seeney said.

He says reducing the number of rail lines through the region to two has been a difficult process.

"There is a lot less landholders who will be impacted but it's impossible to get a situation where there is none," Seeney said.

Source: AAP

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