Top coal expert has fast fix for rail corridor coal dust problem - Herald Sun

SIMPLE FIX: Kelly Steinheuer, 8 of Coorparoo, taking her cystic fibrosis medication at the kitchen table. Her parents fear dust from nearby coal trains are making her illness worse. Picture: Liam Kidston. Source: The Courier-Mail

FED UP: Jack Rance shows stains on his driveway caused by coal dust from the nearby railway line. Picture: Adam Smith Source: The Courier-Mail

ONE of Queensland's top coal experts says a coal dust mitigation program in the Brisbane urban rail corridor is so straightforward it could be introduced in weeks, not months as outlined in a new plan by Queensland Resources Council.

Ed Crawford, a coal specialist with Anglo Coal, which has been "veneering" coal wagons in Central Queensland for almost five years, said the set-up process does not involve a large capital outlay or significant infrastructure investment.

Residents in the rail corridor have been concerned for years about coal dust emitted from train wagons getting into their homes and the potential associated health risks.

The veneering process, which coats the coal loads in a sticky polymer, reduces dust emissions by 50-90 per cent.

QRC chief executive Michael Roche said New Hope Coal would begin veneering loads of coal travelling by train from its Darling Downs mine through Toowoomba, Ipswich and Brisbane in late March.

Mr Roche said Peabody Energy and Yancoal were "anticipated" to follow suit later in the year despite both telling The Courier-Mail last month they had no plans to veneer coal loads.

Darling Downs coal producers have been accused of dragging their feet for years on implementing industry-best practices, including veneering.

Mr Crawford said there was no reason for the process to be delayed.

"It's a rather simple system," he said.

A $25,000 investment in a storage tank, access to a water source and a mixer for a coal adhesive fluid was all that was necessary.

He estimated the cost of veneering at just 5c a tonne.

DIRTY DEEDS: A Coal train passing through Fairfield railway station. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: The Courier-Mail

Queensland University of Technology air pollution expert Dr Lidia Morawska said the companies moving and stockpiling coal in Brisbane were avoiding industry-best practices because of the lack of standards governing the shipment of coal through urban areas.

"Since there is no standard, they are trying to get away with doing nothing," she said. "But they are starting to feel the community pressure."

Medical experts say coal dust, especially fine particulates, can be hazardous to health.

The State Government has conducted air quality testing at Tennyson to determine if coal particulate levels have been exceeded. The findings are due this month.

QRC said the new coal management plan would also include monitoring at six sites along the rail corridor.

About 9 million tonnes of coal is transported to the Port of Brisbane but it and Queensland Bulk Handling - which leases the port's coal export facility at the port and is owned by New Hope Coal - have long-term plans to double exports to 20 million tonnes a year.

Anglo Coal opted to veneer coal wagons five years ago to ease community concerns.

"It was an issue of sustainability for our business. It was about being proactive and listening to the community," Mr Crawford said.