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Rural rail changes spark jobless fears

Posted November 5, 2008 14:13:00
Updated November 5, 2008 14:12:00

A western Queensland MP says he fears there will be job losses in rural areas due to livestock freight changes being planned by Queensland Rail (QR).

The Liberal-National Party's Vaughan Johnson says he understands livestock will no longer be loaded at some centres on the northern rail line and freight charges may also be increased from next year.

He says it will be a devastating blow for rural areas and beef cattle producers who use the rail system.

"Well Queensland Rail livestock division has notified major meat processing companies in the south-east corner that their livestock operation will cease to exist loading cattle out of centres like Hughenden, Richmond and Charters Towers and also Dalby in the south-east corner," he said.

Tags: unemployment, states-and-territories, livestock, liberal-national-party-queensland, charters-towers-4820, dalby-4405, longreach-4730, mount-isa-4825, richmond-4740