Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann

The Government is continuing to progress the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail, with contracts awarded for feasibility design work on the four projects between Brisbane and Toowoomba.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Barnaby Joyce said the contracts, with a total value of $31.5 million, would lay the groundwork for future detailed design works. 

“Inland Rail is going to be a catalyst for significant development, investment and innovation in regional Australia, with Queensland set to see more than $7.2 billion in economic benefits flowing from its construction and operation,” Mr Joyce said.

“This project is a game-changer for our regions, creating thousands of jobs nationwide, and returning $16 billion to the national economy during the delivery phase and the first 50 years of operation.

“More importantly, Inland Rail will draw investment into communities along its corridor, as we gear up for construction work to start on sections in New South Wales as early as May.”

Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann said the feasibility design contracts for the three projects between Gowrie and Kagaru were awarded to Future Freight Joint Venture at a combined value of $28 million.

“A second feasibility design contract for $3.5 million has also been awarded to Hatch Pty Ltd for the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton project,” Senator Cormann said.

“There is plenty of community interest in the design of Inland Rail. As these feasibility designs progress, more detail will become available, including what engineering solutions could be used,  building on preliminary investigations and community engagement already carried out by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).”

The Government committed an additional $8.4 billion to Inland Rail in the 2017-18 Budget. More information about the Inland Rail project is available at www.inlandrail.com.au.