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The new rail corridor in the region will link the existing Western Railway and Moura Railway systems, allowing future mines to export through Gladstone.
Under a deal with the Surat Basin Rail Joint Venture consortium, the state government will acquire the land for the corridor and lease it to the SBRJV so the consortium can construct and operate the railway.
Public submissions close next week.
Xstrata Coal recently shelved essential work for its $A6 billion Wandoan project but is continuing to buy property in the project area to meet the requirements of existing agreements.
Xstrata is also continuing to pursue a mining lease for the project from the state government, according to the Australian Financial Review.
The open cut project was significant in its ambition to open up the Surat Basin thermal coal region.
Xstrata is a key member of the SBRJV.
