THE approval of the remote train crew depot beside the rail line where it runs parallel to Mill Street won little favour with many Rosewood residents.
The Ipswich City Council gave the go ahead in September for the facility which will cater for up to 30 to 40 train crew working on a 24/7 rotating roster on the Aurizon coal trains.
However, according to the approved application, the maximum number of crew on site at any one time will be 16.
But nearby residents raised concerns about the noise generated by the stopping and starting of trains to onboard new crews or let crews at the end of their shift alight.
“The noise of each carriage banging together when stopping and starting is equivalent to the noise of a jack hammer … and Aurizon are proposing to do this up to 20 times every 24 hours, if plans for a remote train crew depot at Rosewood are approved,” said Rachel and David Schunemann, whose home is located next door to the now approved depot.
Aurizon is the country’s largest rail freight operator and are responsible for hauling coal along the line which runs through the town of Rosewood.
In answer to questions about noise, which were asked by the Council while the application was under review, Aurizon’s reply was that under the Queensland’s Environmental Protection Act 1994, noise from the ordinary use of rail transport infrastructure is considered separately to the potential noise impacts associated with the activities at the proposed train crew depot.
“The term ‘rail transport infrastructure’ is defined in the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 and specifically excludes depots and other rail facilities,” the company’s reply continued.
“In this regard, noise associated with the ordinary use of rail transport infrastructure is that which results from the day to day use of existing rail transport infrastructure, and specifically includes the use of the railway track by rolling stock and other vehicles.
“It should be understood that such noise is not directly associated with the proposed [remote train crew depot].
“It should also be understood that this rail transport infrastructure has been in place for over 150 years and that its use by both passenger and freight services has occurred for much of this period and will continue to be so used into the known future.
“Although it occurs infrequently, it should also be understood that this location is already used for crew changes of an unplanned nature.”
It is understood that the remote train crew depot will be operative before the end of the year.
