Inland Rail purchases “biodiversity offset property”

INLAND Rail said it purchased a “biodiversity offset property” in Queensland.

The government-owned company bought 2800 hectares in Canning Creek, about 40 kilometres south of Millmerran.

“Acquiring the Canning Creek property will allow Inland Rail to use this property to offset a large portion of its offset obligation to protect and manage similar vegetation that will unavoidably be impacted by Border to Gowrie (B2G) construction activity,” the company said in a statement.

“Under the terms of the purchase, Inland Rail is responsible for the ongoing management of the land to achieve biodiversity outcomes defined in the B2G project’s Environmental Impact Statement and subsequent state and Australian government approvals.”

Inland Rail said it is seeking expressions of interest from businesses across Queensland that offer land management services on properties identified for biodiversity offsets.

“Canning Creek is located next to biodiversity corridors and conservation estates and supports a range of threatened plants, animals and ecosystems that may be impacted by B2G project construction,” the company said.

Inland Rail said it had already made “significant” progress in its biodiversity offset programs in New South Wales and Victoria.

Inland Rail director health, safety and environment said: ‘This is an exciting and important achievement for Inland Rail in Queensland, with more offset properties expected to be acquired soon.”