Builder announced for Narrabri to North Star section of Inland Rail

Another new major milestone has been reached on the Narrabri to North Star section of the Inland Rail development with the announcement of a builder for Phase 1 of the project. This appointment follows the approval of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) last month. 

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has awarded the construction contract to Trans4m Rail, a joint venture between John Holland and SEE Civil. 

“This nationally significant infrastructure is being built by the skills and expertise of Australian businesses – businesses that invest locally, drive regional employment and give back to communities along this 1,700km corridor of commerce. 

“We want to see regional Australia open for business. This $693.8 million contract with Trans4m Rail, along with the delivery of almost 25,000 tonnes of steel over the past 18 months, puts us closer to construction and the benefits of Inland Rail in North West NSW,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said. 

The Inland Rail will not only enhance Australia’s freight infrastructure and strengthen the supply chain, its construction also supports thousands of jobs and businesses across the country. 

“With the award of this contract, there will be flow-on effects through the economy with more local businesses and suppliers set to come on-board and support Inland Rail construction. 

“The upgrade of another 171km track is another important piece in the puzzle to delivering better and quicker freight access to our primary producers in regional Australia, helping them get their product to markets in Australia and overseas with more ease,” Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said. 

The Narrabri to North Star section of the Inland Rail will include upgrading 186 kilometres of existing rail corridor and building 2.3 kilometres of new track near Moree in New South Wales. 

Project map (source: Australian Rail Track Corporation)

The project is divided into two phases, namely: 

• Phase 1: Narrabri to North Star – upgrading 171 kilometres of track along the exisint rail corridor 
• Phase 2: Moree to Camurra – upgrading 15 kilometred of track crossing the Mehi-Gwydir floodplain and building 2.3 kilometres of new track at Camurra, north of Moree 

Construction on the Narrabri to North Star section of the Inland Rail is set to begin before the end of 2020. 

“Inland Rail will leave a legacy for regional areas – including North West NSW – for decades to come, providing world-class transport and logistics to help regional businesses get their products to market. 

“This project is about more than just stell tracks – we're already seeing opportunities for industry to invest in the region through the Northern NSW Inland Port at Narrabri and the Moree Special Activation Precinct – leveraging the advantages of Inland Rail to provide long-term employment and scope of future growth,” Local Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton said. 

Late last year, three firms were shortlisted to build the first phase of the Narrabri to North Star section and entered into a formal Request for Tender process with which Trans4m Rail was chosen as the preferred builder. 

Trans4m Rail will now be delivering Phase 1 works that include upgrading the existing rail line between Narrabri and North Star. On the other hand, further design work will continue for the second phase of the project which involves the development of an EIS for the construction of new tracks between Moree and Camurra. 

“Trans4m Rail has made a commitment to employ local people, engage local businesses and suppliers and work with communities in North West NSW to ensure the benefits of Inland Raol are felt throughout the community,” Minister Coulton said. 

The Inland Rail is a 1,700-kilometre freight rail line – broken into 13 individual projects – running from Melbourne to Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Australian Rail Track Corporation (1, 2); Inside Construction