Where’s the Infrastructure? - Claire Garton

Beyond The Rona

In this episode with chat with community advocate and QLD Greens Candidate for Moreton, Claire Garton - https://www.facebook.com/ClaireGarton.TheGreens

In this episode we discuss with Claire the impacts of the Inland Rail project on the people who live along the proposed route, which will transport coal all the way from Melbourne into Queensland in trains every half hour that are 1.8km long, and double stacked, when this project is completed.

The Inland Rail project will result in extra noise from trains and trucks, vibration on houses, noise from container drops and unloading, pollution from trucks, increased traffic and congestion on roads, division of farmland, home acquisitions, and health implications from coal dust particles.

The current Federally funded route begins in Melbourne and travels up through NSW, across the Queensland border and into Toowoomba. From here, the rail line route is undecided as to whether it will continue to either Port of Brisbane (a privately owned port) or Gladstone (a state owned port). Costs have blown out when trying to work out the route down the Toowoomba range and then terminating at Acacia Ridge. (It’s more expensive to go to Brisbane due to the Toowoomba Range).

Another option from Acacia Ridge to Port of Brisbane is to transport the coal via trucks and it’s believed deals are being made with trucking companies to establish this. However, it is estimated to take 5000 trucks per day to transport the coal out to the Privately owned Port of Brisbane.

The Mayor of Gladstone is onboard with the coal being transported through Queensland and up to the state owned Port of Gladstone. However, even if this was deemed to be the best route and supported by community consultation across Queensland, with a move to renewables, it is worth discussing if Inland Rail will actually be a worthwhile project in years to come? Or has it all been a waste of money?

Claire, Tim and Andrea also discuss the Olympics and Brisbane being a host city for 2032. Tim talks about the lack of community consultation regarding infrastructure for the Olympics. And the fact that Gina Rinehart is now involved.
Claire states she would love to see a Carbon Neutral or Net Zero Olympics and discusses this idea.

Other discussions on domestic roof-top solar system battery storage, the need for a Federal Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (ICAC), infrastructure for schools especially for inclusive education.

Claire and Andrea discuss what it’s like being in the community as a member of a minority group eg trans, disabled.

Claire’s 3 Big Ideas:

1. Treaty for First Nations People
2. Local ideas for Moreton to get done, plus ICAC, climate change, kick out the LNP, get Greens into Balance of Power
3. Fix Economic Equality in Australia in order to fix social issues

Beyond the Rona Podcast is recorded in Logan, Queensland on Yuggera country. We acknowledge the traditional owners past, present and emerging.

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