Inland Rail project to go ahead

The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to fast-tracking delivery of the iconic Inland Rail project between Melbourne and Brisbane.

The development is likely to be watched carefully by suppliers of critical communications equipment and services to the transport and logistics sectors.

In his address to last week’s AusRAIL 2013 conference in Sydney, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Warren Truss said that the government is determined to roll-out infrastructure essential to boost our national productivity and that the government would bring forward the Melbourne-to-Brisbane Inland Railway.

“To ensure construction starts as soon as possible, I will create a high-level implementation group to be chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson,” Truss said. “This announcement builds on my commitment during the election campaign to provide federal funding of $300 million to get the project back on track.

“The implementation group will report to me. Importantly, its role will help determine construction priorities and ensure engagement with the community and stakeholders. Its first priority will be to finally settle the alignment and reserve land for the route. The group will examine financing options and engage with private sector investors and those with significant interests along the line that will benefit from its construction.”

The minister said he has written to the Premiers of Queensland, NSW and Victoria to seek their cooperation and invited them to nominate a representative to join the Secretary of his Department, Mike Mrdak, and the CEO of the Australian Rail Track Corporation, John Fullerton, on the implementation group.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation will, under the guidance of the group, work with interested parties to construct the Inland Rail project over a staged, 10-year schedule.

The federal government has also committed to investigate the rail infrastructure required for a new 24/7 dedicated freight line to the Port of Brisbane.