THE interests of Logan residents are not being properly considered by the people putting together the $10 billion Inland Rail project, says mayor Darren Power.
Logan City Council had written to federal government ministers, local MPs and the Australian Rail Track Corporation about the project.
Residents who may be impacted can raise concerns at public information sessions this month.
The sessions are being run by Australian Rail Track Corporation, the federal government-owned entity building the freight connection between Brisbane and Melbourne.
An ARTC spokesman has said previously that the company was happy to work with the council and the community on the project.
The spokesman said community questions had been answered although some queries had been either outside the scope of the Inland Rail project or related to studies that were not yet finalised.
The Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton (K2ARB) section runs through the western side of Logan on the existing interstate rail line.
It is expected that longer trains and double-stacked carriages will be used on the route, with the frequency of services rising from about eight trains a day to up to 45 by 2040.
Crn Power said it was more important than ever that the community spoke up about any negative impacts.
"The local section of Inland Rail is currently in the design stages, but we know the rail line will be lowered and additional passing loops will be created," Cr Power said.
"Along with local residents, council has regularly raised concerns about the impacts of noise, vibration and air quality on the community.
"These trains will operate 24 hours a day and are likely to carry coal...
"We know that many landowners who purchased their properties in this area did not anticipate the increased size and frequency of trains, with the substantial increase in capacity threatening to disrupt the everyday life of residents in Logan."
Cr Power said council had written to impacted residents this week to further promote the public information sessions.
"By 2041, 17,000 residents are anticipated to live within 500 metres either side of the route, while 38,000 residents will be within 1km," he said.
"Council does not have a role in the approvals for Inland Rail, and it is still not confirmed whether the K2ARB section will be declared as a coordinated project."
He said council would continue to raise issues it was satisfied that decision makers were genuinely considering the impacts to quality of life of residents.
The ARTC's public information sessions are on December 5, 10am to 2pm at Logan West Community Centre, Hillcrest; December 8, 1pm to 5pm at Greenbank Scout Den; December 9, 10am to 2pm at The Centre, Beaudesert; December 10, 3pm to 7pm at Logan West Community Centre, Hillcrest; December 12, 10am to 2pm at Acacia Ridge YMCA Community Hall, Acacia Ridge; and December 15, 10am to 2pm at The Centre, Beaudesert.
The ARTC project page inlandrail.artc.com.au/K2ARB has more information about the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton section, including details of the Community Consultative Committee and an interactive map for people to pin comments.
