Site Visit - Toongi

Dennis Hughes and Myself at the invitation of LRTC member Gary Braithwaite from Dubbo drove out to inspect the condition of the existing rail line in the Toongi area.

We found that the Toongi to Dubbo line was in place except for the road crossings which could be easily re established as level crossings.

The line was heavy rail which was not continous welded though it could be welded.

The rail be re established to what ever class is required by the developer Alkane who are seeking a Class 1 line which is more costly.

LRTC would have to establish the traffic load at full production and this load would depend on the amount of intended road traffic that could be placed on rail which depends on the source of the incoming meterial for processing which is about 550 thousand tonnes per year. Thereis not a large volume of finished product leaving the site( about 3 trains per day)

The EIS and other things introduced to the gathering at the Dubbo RSL on Wednesday night 23rd October 2013. It was very clear and it appears that the production of rare earth metals will produce billions od dollars income with 250 full time jobs in the area.

Maurice Simpson

Chair of LRTC.