Local residents will finally have a voice on how the Federal Government’s Inland Rail Project will impact them with a Community Consultative Committee confirmed for the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge/Bromelton section of the project, thanks to strong representation from our state MPs.
In April, Member for Algester, Leeanne Enoch, Member for Logan, Linus Power and Member for Jordan, Charis Mullen wrote to ARTC CEO, tasked by the Federal Government to deliver Inland Rail, calling on him to provide local residents the opportunity to have a say, just like other Queenslanders affected by Inland Rail.
Ms Enoch, Mr Power and Ms Mullen said they are pleased the ARTC has considered the concerns they raised on behalf of local constituents regarding lack of consultation from the ARTC.
Ms Enoch said she has been calling on the ARTC and the Federal Government for over a year to be more consultative with local residents about the Inland Rail Project.
“I have spoken directly with hundreds of local residents and people always tell me they don’t know what information they can trust. That’s why this committee means so much – it will be made up of people from our own community who residents know and can hold accountable.
“Anyone who lives in the area can nominate to be on the committee. We particularly need representatives like local land owners, community leaders like P&C presidents, and members of environment groups to put their hand up to get involved,” Ms Enoch said.
Mr Power said local residents now have the opportunity to nominate to be part of the committee, which will include 10 – 15 community members from across the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge/Bromelton region.
“Once the committee is formed, it will aim to meet at least quarterly and members of the public will be encouraged to attend.
“The Committee will be facilitated by an independent person to act as the Committee Chair and the ARTC will provide administrative support. This person will be responsible for maintaining conduct in meetings and making sure our community’s voice is heard fairly.
Ms Mullen said the committee will be made up of representatives from across the region who have lived in the area for a number of years, have strong connections with the community and can contribute beneficial knowledge to the direction of the project.
“This is about giving power back to the people in our communities so there can finally be clarity and transparency around this Federal Government project.
“The names of each of the committee members, the minutes of each meeting and the upcoming meeting dates will be available on the ARTC website, so this is a big change and we are really glad to see it come to fruition,” Ms Mullen said.
Information about nominating to be a member of the committee will be available soon. Please contact your local member’s office for more information.