Study tracks north south rail link

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has examined more than 50 alignment options for the 1,892 km track.
Details of the first stage of its $15m study were released last week.
The ARTC said the initial work had examined the likely demand for the corridor and the cost of building the infrastructure and keeping it operating.
The most expensive section is the link between the southern Queensland town of North Star and Brisbane – a 400 km section that has been projected to go via Toowoomba.
In addition to the North Star connection, the study found upgrades would be needed north of the intermodal town of Parkes in central New South Wales, including minor deviations.
Other sections still to be studied include the southern NSW connection between Junee and Stockinbingal and a possible route from Premer to Emerald Hill that would avoid Werris Creek.
The ARTC said the major cost would be incurred in the difficult geography northbound between Toowoomba and Brisbane.
The second stage of the study is expected to produce results by the third quarter of this year with a final stage by the end of the year.