QR National

Many other companies, from Australia and offshore, are eyeing investments in varied port and rail projects in the state.

The state government will support QR National and Atlas Iron's bid for a common rail line in the Pilbara, but says it won't put any money towards it.

THE awarding last week of rail transport contracts for a $3.5 billion fertiliser project at Collie has put the two winners in good position to bid for the much larger contracts that will be needed to support the planned expansion of Collie coal exports.

An experienced blue-chip board that includes former Wesfarmers finance director Gene Tilbrook and Shell Australia chairman Russell Caplan has been named to prepare Queensland-based QR National for its ASX listing.