Technical and commercial support will be provided to 15 project proposals under the Federal Government’s Inland Rail Interface Improvement Program (II Program).
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said the II Program was a great way for local government, industry and regional communities to enhance supply chain productivity and realise the potential of Inland Rail.
“Inland Rail is exploring new ways to connect to the line, work on construction and supply the project with materials and services.
“It is the access and connection to Inland Rail’s fast, reliable and cost-competitive freight services that will drive further value from our infrastructure investment.
“I’m pleased to be supporting 15 proposals that will build further on these benefits, ranging from longer and better rail sidings in Back Creek New South Wales to enhanced local road connections, to Inland Rail in Bromelton Queensland,” Mr McCormack said.
The 15 projects include:
Proponent | Location | Proposal and potential benefits | Program |
Auscott | Narrabri, NSW | Proposal to lengthen two sidings at the Auscott Narrabri Siding and incorporate two additional turnouts to increase efficiency and capacity of the rail line. | Productivity Enhancement Program |
Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council and Coopers Couriers | Cootamundra, Stockinbingal, NSW | Proposal to explore the development of a rail interchange and freight handling facility in the South West Slopes Region in NSW. | Productivity Enhancement Program |
EH Mattiske and Son | Back Creek, near Forbes, NSW | Proposal to extend the existing Back Creek rail siding to significantly increase its grain loading capacity. | Productivity Enhancement Program |
Gilgandra Shire Council | Curban, NSW | Proposal will investigate the repurpose of one of the anticipated Inland Rail construction compounds in the Gilgandra Shire, to become a multi-user rail access facility. | Productivity Enhancement Program |
GrainCorp Ltd | Brookstead, QLD | Proposal to dual gauge the GrainCorp Brookstead rail siding to access the higher Tonne Axle Limits on Inland Rail. | Productivity Enhancement Program |
Lachlan Shire Council | Condobolin, NSW | Proposal to develop the viability of a warehousing and logistics centre near Condobolin. | Productivity Enhancement Program |
Lockhart Shire Council | Boree Creek, NSW | Proposal to upgrade the country line from The Rock to Boree Creek to meet national heavy rail standards. | Country Lines Improvement Program |
Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) | Moree, NSW | Proposal to expand and upgrade the existing LDC intermodal facility at Moree, including improving access for freight exports as well as 24 hour siding access. | Productivity Enhancement Program |
Narromine Shire Council | Narromine, NSW | Proposal to develop an industrial precinct and freight exchange at Narromine to service the Inland Rail route and the regional rail network. | Productivity Enhancement Program |
Pacific National | Junee, NSW | Proposal to construct an additional holding/marshalling road to allow for the attachment and detachment and loading of longer trains at the proposed major regional terminal. | Productivity Enhancement Program |
Pacific National | Toowoomba, QLD | Proposal to construct an arrival road (supplementary crossing route) and a loading road (rail siding) at Toowoomba and Moree. | Country Lines Improvement Program |
Queensland Transport and Logistics Council | Wellcamp, QLD | The proposal will investigate the opportunities associated with transporting liquid hydrogen and compressed gaseous hydrogen by rail and explore potential benefits for Inland Rail. | Productivity Enhancement Program |
Scenic Rim Regional Council | Bromelton, QLD | Proposal for a study of the local road connections to the SCT logistics terminal and broader Bromelton State Development Area (SDA) in the Scenic Rim region. | Productivity Enhancement Program |
Transport for NSW | Dubbo, Narrabri West, Parkes, NSW | Proposal for network interface improvements between Inland Rail and the Country Regional Network (CRN) at three strategic locations. | Productivity Enhancement Program |
Wagga Wagga City Council and Riverina Oils and Bio Energy (ROBE) | Wagga Wagga, NSW | Proposal to develop a grain terminal and dedicated rail siding at the Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RiFL) Hub. | Productivity Enhancement Program |
Minister for Finance, Simon Birmingham, said the II Program was an important collaborative process that would see community and industry ideas considered to enhance the benefits of Inland Rail.
“Exploring ways to increase the efficiency and productivity of supply chains with local knowledge is the key to developing a freight rail line with long term benefits – suited to the unique regions along the route.
“Inland Rail will connect Melbourne and Brisbane through regional Australia with the spine of a fast, reliable and efficient freight network, backed by local innovation to deliver the best outcomes.
“The Australian Government is committed to maximising this project with Inland Rail expected to deliver a boost of more than $18 billion to Gross Domestic Product during construction and in its first 50 years of operation,” Mr Birmingham said.
Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government, Mark Coulton, said that the projects being investigated through the II Program have the potential to increase capability in the national freight network and deliver significant local benefits.
“We have reached out to the regions to hear their ideas because we want to ensure that the interfaces, the sidings, the loops, the connecting tracks, the silos and handling facilities, are improved and better connected.
“Connectivity is at the heart of this government’s commitment to Inland Rail because the regions are our lifeblood for resources and agricultural production,” Mr Coulton said.
20 project proposals from Round One are receiving expert support through the II Program and a further 15 project proposals so far were found eligible in Round Two.
The II Program does not provide or guarantee funding for projects; however, it enables local ideas to be considered for further investment.
For more information regarding the Inland Rail projects, click here.