City of Logan Mayor Darren Power has welcomed an independent review into the controversial Inland Rail project.
The review will assess the scope, schedule and cost of the rail line – part of which could impact the City of Logan.
The Kagaru and Acacia Ridge to Bromelton (K2ARB) section is planned to come through the western fringes of the city.
More than 40,000 people will live within one kilometre of the rail corridor in the next two decades.
The Australian Government said it would consider new stakeholder consultation as part of the review into the processes around selecting the Inland Rail route.
Cr Power said the review announcement was a clear sign that the fight was not over, with regard to consideration being given to alternative routes.
“We have been vocal about the serious impacts of the K2ARB section of the project for many years now,” he said.
“Residents did not get an opportunity to have their say on the route or offer alternatives.
“It is the most densely populated section of the project in Queensland and those residents will bear the brunt of the noise, vibration and air quality issues.”
Cr Power said he was pleased that the project would be reviewed with fresh eyes, following a scathing Senate Inquiry which last year affirmed many of the concerns raised by Council and the community.
“It is not good enough that our residents have been consistently ignored by the Australian Rail Track Corporation and we look forward to hearing what the review has to say when the findings come back early next year,” Cr Power said.
Dr Kerry Schott AO, who has extensive experience in the government and business sectors, has been appointed to lead the review, with findings expected in 2023.
The review will examine business case assessments including potential end points in Brisbane.
Last December, Council voted to continue advocating for the government to engage with stakeholders in an open, transparent and rigorous investigation of alternate routes, as Council does not consider that Acacia Ridge can be regarded as a viable terminus for the project.