Jilalan Rail Yard Upgrade – Coal Stream Alliance
Client:
Queensland Rail (QR) National
Project location:
Sarina, Queensland, Australia
Type of contract:
Alliance
Project value in AUD:
$500 Million
Start and completion date (of the commission):
2009 – 2010
Role:
Alliance Partner
Project overview:
The Jilalan Rail Yard Upgrade was a major infrastructure initiative led by Queensland Rail (QR) to support the booming coal export industry. As part of QR National’s broader Goonyella Rail System enhancement program, the $500 million upgrade was designed to significantly increase the capacity and efficiency of coal transport from the Bowen Basin to the Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay terminals near Mackay. With the expansion of port capacity to 130 million tonnes per year, the Jilalan upgrade was critical to unlocking upstream capacity. The project transformed the yard into a modern, high-throughput rail hub capable of handling up to 92 million tonnes of coal annually.
Key features of the upgrade included 42 km of new track (22 km electrified), the construction of new provisioning and wagon maintenance facilities, two new bypass roads (with provision for a third), and upgraded yard and maintenance tracks. New administration buildings were also constructed, ensuring operational effectiveness for long-term growth. The project was delivered through the Coal Stream Alliance, a collaborative partnership involving QR National, Aurecon, Hatch Associates, Macmahon Contractors, MVM Rail, and PB.
Role on project:
The Driftwood Consulting team members formed part of the Alliance team and fulfilled the role of Environmental Advisor and Technical Advisor. They were responsible for the environmental approvals, monitoring, and reporting on water quality, dust, noise, and sewerage treatment. They were also responsible for designing and implementing erosion and sediment controls across this large site with major earthworks, bridgeworks, and building construction in a highly sensitive area on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef. The team was also heavily involved in the project’s safety & environment leadership program for hazard identification, management, and auditing tools.
