COAL trains will not travel through the south-west Logan community as part of the Inland Rail freight project until construction starts on the proposed Salisbury to Beaudesert passenger rail line.
Under a deal reached between the Queensland and federal governments, Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge section of the project would be coal free until progress is made on the long anticipated public transport infrastructure project.
"We've always said the Australian government, as a minimum, should not increase the existing line's freight capacity, including allowing coal trains, until it also provides capacity for a passenger line between Beaudesert and Salisbury," Mr Bailey said.
"Communities south-west of Logan are among the fastest-growing areas in Queensland, and the business case is a critical first step."
The state and federal government's jointly committed to a $20 million passenger rail business case.
Mr Bailey said close to $2 billion in joint state and federal funding would be fast-tracked for infrastructure projects as part of the agreement.
A timeline on the Salisbury to Beaudesert passenger rail project has not been set but it is expected to begin after Cross River Rail is complete in 2024.
While the Liberal-National federal government is responsible for Inland Rail, former state LNP member for Algester Anthony Shorten said the deal was a "delaying tactic".
"All Mark Bailey has done is kick the can down the road for someone else to deal with," he said.
"There is no certainty here for residents, in fact it actually just creates more stress for them because of the unknown timeframe."
The proposed Salisbury to Beaudesert passenger line would include 11 stations including stops at Acacia Ridge, Algester, Boronia Heights, Hillcrest, New Beith, Greenbank, Flagstone, Gleneagle, Gleneagle North, Undullah and Beaudesert.
LNP Forde MP Bert van Manen said he welcomed the agreement reached between the state and federal government.
"The ability to deliver better services and connectivity for the rapidly growing areas of Logan and the Scenic Rim when combined with passenger rail services will enhance the liveability and economic opportunities in these growing communities," he said.
Earlier this year, Mr van Manen was critical of the Australian Rail Track Corporation, which is delivering Inland Rail, and said it needed to lift its game on community consultation.
The Inland Rail agreement between Transport Minister Mark Bailey and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack was signed in Toowoomba on November 29.