Inland Rail - Gowrie to Helidon

Project overview*

EIS statusEIS active
Description 28 kilometre single-track dual-gauge freight railway
Proponent Australian Rail Track Corporation Limited
Location/s Gowrie to Helidon through the Toowoomba Range. Map
Local government/s
  • Lockyer Valley Regional Council
  • Toowoomba Regional Council
Investment $1.35 billion
Key features
  • 28 kilometre single-track dual-gauge freight rail line to accommodate double stack freight trains up to 1800 metres long
  • a 6.24 kilometre tunnel through the Toowoomba Range
  • construction of rail infrastructure, culverts, bridges and viaducts and crossing loops
  • connection to the existing West Moreton Railway Line
  • ancillary works including road and public utility crossings and realignments.
Construction start date TBC
Jobs
  • 264 (construction)

* Project information supplied by proponent and subject to change.

Frequently asked questions

The Coordinator-General has prepared responses to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the EIS process for the Inland Rail – Gowrie to Helidon project.

Environmental impact statement (EIS) process

DateActivity
Currently Additional information for the EIS being prepared by the proponent.
31 January 2025Coordinator-General stated a new project declaration lapse date of 1 February 2026.
24 July 2023 Coordinator-General stated a new project declaration lapse date of 1 February 2025.
30 September 2022 Additional information for the EIS requested by the Coordinator-General.
24 January 2022 Coordinator-General stated a new project declaration lapse date of 1 August 2023.
2 August to 25 October 2021

Draft EIS public consultation.

Draft EIS, including appendices.

27 November 2020 Coordinator-General stated a new project declaration lapse date of 1 February 2022.
11 November 2019 Coordinator-General stated a new project declaration lapse date of 1 December 2020.
8 October 2019 Coordinator-General stated a new project declaration lapse date of 11 November 2019.
8 February 2019 Coordinator-General stated a new project declaration lapse date of 9 October 2019.
9 August 2017 Terms of reference for EIS (PDF icon 319 KB) released.
6 May 2017 to 5 June 2017 Draft terms of reference for EIS public consultation (PDF icon 284 KB).
17 March 2017 The Australian Minister for the Environment and Energy decided the project is a 'controlled action'. More information

A project that has the potential to have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance is called a 'controlled action' and requires approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).

16 March 2017 Gazettal (PDF icon 240 KB) of ‘coordinated project’ declaration.
15 February 2017 Application, including initial advice statement (PDF icon 18 MB), submitted.
10 February 2017 Project referred to Australian Minister for the Environment and Energy.

Media releases

Further information

Read more about the EIS process.

Last updated: 04 Feb 2025