Project Iron Boomerang is a proposal, originated in 2006, to build a multi-user rail corridor spanning northern Australia and to facilitate placement of five steel-making plants at each end, owned and operated by steel mill companies. A key element of its projected feasibility was the elimination of inefficient, unproductive and environmentally damaging empty return train-loads.[1][2][3] The termini of the railway line were projected to be Newman, Western Australia and Abbot Point, Queensland, about 3000 km (1860 mi) apart.[3][4]
The proponent is a private company, East West Line Parks Pty Ltd.[5] As of 2015[update], Shane Condon was stated as being the founder and managing director.[6]
An Australian Broadcastion Corporation report in 2011 stated that acquisition of land had begun. It also reported a Western Australian resources expert as saying the plan was extremely unlikely to succeed because Australia's "high wage, high dollar environment" made the cost of producing steel too high to develop a new project, and in the environment at that time it was hard to find a business case.[7]
In 2019, the company reported to a mining and metallurgy conference that pre-feasibility and project design phases had been completed; the initial aim of the next stage was to obtain commitment of engagement from at least three global steel companies before completing an environmental impact statement and obtaining government approvals. The company's schedule anticipated that design and construction of the railway would be completed, and steel production would commence, in 2025.[1]
In 2020, a news article outlined the project's potential economic feasibility and national benefits.[8]
In February 2022, a plan for an optical fibre cable system along the route of the railway, to be laid when the project started, was reported.[9][better source needed] At the same time, the company's website stated that the three-year bankable approval stage would be reached by 2018 and the 31⁄2-year commissioning and construction stage would be complete by 2022. As of June 2022[update], however, no announcement had been made by the company to indicate that either event has occurred.
Parliament inquiry edit
On 5 September 2022, the Australian Senate passed a motion to establish an inquiry into the project.[10] The motion was sponsored by One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts. The project was referred to the Senate Standing Committees on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport. A report was due on 11 May 2023, but the deadline was extended, and the report was tabled on 10 August 2023.
References edit
- ^ a b "PIB Project Update" (PDF). Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. AusIMM Cairns. August 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
- ^ "Project Iron Boomerang". Project Iron Boomerang. East West Line Parks Pty Ltd. 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
- ^ a b "'Iron Boomerang' plans onshore iron ore processing". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 5 July 2006. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ^ Project Iron Boomerang - Rail Corridor Identification Pre-Feasibility Study (PDF), East West Line Parks, 30 March 2007, archived from the original (PDF) on 16 February 2011, retrieved 23 June 2011
- ^ "Current details for ABN 21 118 581 883". ABN Lookup. Australian Government – Australian Business Register. August 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
- ^ Condon, Shane (2015). "March 2015 Project Iron Boomerang(PIB) Up-Date & Information Kit" (PDF). Project Iron Boomerange. East West Line Parks Pty Ltd. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ "Proposed "Iron Boomerang" railway labelled unrealistic". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 16 May 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
- ^ Graham, Ben (22 October 2020). "Project Iron Boomerang: Radical plan that could rebuild Australia". news.com.au. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
- ^ "Iron Boomerang Railway". Railpage. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ "Project known as the Iron Boomerang". Parliament of Australia. Australian Government. Retrieved 17 September 2023.