At a coal conference in the area yesterday, ARTC planning and development manager Derek Harris outlined clear strategies for meeting rail market needs for the Gunnedah Basin, including extending and upgrading current loops on the Muswellbrook-Narrabri rail line to accommodate trains of greater lengths.

The changes also include upgrading the signalling and train control system north of Werris Creek, providing a new alignment across the Liverpool Ranges and increasing axle loads from 25 tonnes to 30t.

Harris made it clear that the role of the corporation was to analyse and examine options, create strategies and inform the coal industry, not to implement the changes.

“It is ultimately the industry that has to pay for the infrastructure and therefore the final decision on investments lies with the industry.

“ARTC's key objective remains to ensure track capacity is not a constraint on growth,” he said, adding that the strategy was not an implementation plan, and project timings would reflect the industry's changing growth projections.

Harris said there were substantial benefits from upgrading the line to the Hunter Valley standard of 30t axle loads, including increased volume per path, reduced operating cost and standardisation of the coal fleet.

“The most likely approach is to undertake the minimum upgrading necessary to safely allow 30t axle loads. The network would then be progressively upgraded to a higher track standard as volume grew and the infrastructure fell due for renewal,” he said.

A study to determine the scope and cost of the minimum upgrading is to be undertaken over the next 12 months.

The loop extension program has three stages, with stage one involving the extension of Togar and Murulla loops and a new loop at Gunnedah.

With the Togar upgrade, path availability will be approximately three Boggabri, two Gunnedah and one Werris Creek paths per day, which equates to 5.5 million tonnes per annum at 80% utilisation (300 days per year).

Completion of the Murulla and Gunnedah loops and motorised points between Werris Creek and Boggabri will deliver at least five Boggabri and two Werris Creek paths per day, which equates to 6.4Mtpa, Harris said.

Harris said these projects are proceeding to schedule, as planned by the ARTC and the Rail Infrastructure Corporation (RIC) and will deliver capacity to meet operational requirements in line with forecast demand.

He said the ARTC would now be entering into discussions with the coal miners to assist them to come to a view on a way forward.

“We will be continuing a dialogue with the coal miners and operators on all projects with the aim of delivering cost-effective capacity to meet the needs of the industry,” he said.

The presentation was made at the Gunnedah Basin Coal Conference, which closes today.