Debtset – Bailiff-Sheriff Aust MEMBER Login
Can Australia's most efficient rail line slash carbon emissions?
PROJECT Iron Boomerang founder Shane Condon will address the Queensland Transport Infrastructure Summit in Brisbane on Wednesday (July 27). The project aims to revolutionise world steelmaking by linking the Pilbara iron ore mines in Western Australia with the Bowen Basin coalmines in North Queensland via a 3,370km rail line.
Mr Condon, the managing director of East West Line Parks (EWLP), will provide an update into the first stage steel complex parks and the connecting continental rail infrastructure development, and discuss the economic benefits of investing in export infrastructure.
The project is poised to be one of the biggest construction challenges in Australia’s history, The infrastructure, services and resource linkages will support and fuel 12 steel smelters – six on each coast – which will manufacture slab steel for export, creating one of the world’s largest commercial projects with an estimated overall cost of around $45billion.
Mr Condon will disclose EWLP’s advanced plan designs for the world’s most efficient coal wagon – a 40tonne coal axle wagon which offers over 50 percent more optimal efficiency gains over narrow gauge 26t and 25 percent over 32t coal axle wagons currently in use. Such optimal efficiencies reduce impacts on all communities.
The 40t axle rail wagon will provide cost savings, increased wagon loading, aerodynamic fuel savings, service and maintenance synergies and reduced water usage. Freight costs will be greatly reduced and environment efficiencies maximised, creating a competitive cost advantage.
Mr Condon is the project founder and managing director of East West Line Parks, the holding company of Project Iron Boomerang. The Brisbane-based businessman has worked in the meat and seafood industries as both a business operator and consultant. His work has involved developing export markets in Japan, South East Asia, the US and South America as well as pioneering Australia’s first prawn farm in the Northern Territory as part of a private project.
EWLP has also this week signed an agreement with leading Japanese consulting firm Nomura Research Institute to examine a pre-feasibility study into the SMART Materials Concept. The project will focus on supplying steel products and other related products from Australia to the expanding market in Asia and the Oceania region in a move which could transform Australia’s steel and parts manufacturing sector.
Now in its 14th year, the Queensland Transport Infrastructure Summit attracts those responsible for planning, funding and constructing the state’s booming transport infrastructure.The event will be staged on Wednesday from 1.30pm at the Brisbane Marriott Hotel, 515 Queen Street, Brisbane.
ends
