Thousands of jobs to be supported as Inland Rail progresses in NSW

Regional communities and towns in New South Wales will soon benefit from Inland Rail as the massive freight rail line development progresses in the state. 

Works will soon get underway on critical sections of Inland Rail in New South Wales as the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) signs agreements with Laing O’Rourke (Freight Connect in partnership with FKG Group) and the joint venture between ACCIONA and CPB Contractors (ACACPB JV) for detailed design and civil works construction planning. 

These agreements are expected to inject billions of dollars in construction investments as well as create jobs and bring a much-needed boost to economic activity in regional New South Wales. 

“Inland Rail is a once-in-a-generation, nation-building project that will change the way freight is moved and change the economic fortunes of towns and communities up and down Australia’s east coast for decades to come. 

“With more sections heading into detailed design and planning, the civil works program will deliver even more jobs and stimulus for New South Wales and Southern Queensland. 

“Significant construction stimulus is set to flow through the economy, with a share available for transport operators, fencing, quarries, earthworks and electrical companies working to deliver Inland Rail,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said. 

To date, about 2,433 people have been employed to deliver the project and approximately $2.2 billion worth of contracts have been awarded to over 400 companies across Australia. 

This announcement ensures that the vital freight link between Brisbane and Melbourne is progressing and will continue delivering billions of dollars in stimulus to New South Wales. 

“Major infrastructure projects like Inland Rail are key drivers of growth – stimulating investment, supporting new jobs and opportunities for local businesses to grow and build capability. 

“New South Wales stands to receive significant benefits from Inland Rail with a total expected boost to Gross State Product of $3.4 billion during construction and the first 50 years of operation. 

“As these civil works programs progress through to final contracts in early 2022, regional New South Wales can expect further milestones that bring on construction and the economy-boosting benefits of Inland Rail,” Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said. 

The collaborative framework agreement signed by ARTC and Freight Connect will get the latter to undertake works on an 85-kilometre section of Inland Rail between North Star in New South Wales and Whetstone in Queensland. The consortium will also undertake Narrabri to North Star Phase 2, a 14-kilometre package south of Moree. 

“Our business has long and deep relationships in both Queensland and NSW stretching over 50 years where we have delivered a number of major projects and we are delighted to be granted the opportunity to play our part in this once-in-a-generation piece of infrastructure,” Laing O’Rourke Managing Director Cathal O’Rourke said. 

The Central Civil Works Package features: 

• About 15 kilometres of new rail corridor and 83 kilometres of existing corridor, with 51 kilometres of standard gauge and 47 kilometres of dual gauge 

• Earthworks such as structural cut and general fill 

• 20 rail bridges, including a 1.7-kilometre bridge over Macintyre River and Whalen Creek 

• Two 2.2-kilometre-long crossing loops 

• 16 public road level crossings – eight in New South Wales and eight in Queensland 

• Three rail-over-road grade separations 

“This is a crucial program of civil works with approximately 100km of rail corridor within the southern end of Border to Gowrie, North Star to Border and Narrabri to North Star sections of Inland Rail, including bridge that spans the Macintyre River which serves as the border between the two states. We will also need a large local workforce to support this part of the project with an estimated 500 workers at the peak of construction,” ARTC Inland Rail Interim Chief Executive Rebecca Pickering said. 

On the other hand, ARTC has appointed the ACACPB joint venture to undertake the Southern Civil Works Program that is valued at over $1.2 billion. 

This works package will cover a section of Inland Rail between Narromine and Narrabri in New South Wales. 

“CPB Contractors will use its extensive regional experience to ensure that opportunities for local suppliers are maximised and that jobs for local workers are create. We are delivering major rail projects across Australia and will work closely with the ARTC to ensure that these works are delivered to schedule,” CPB Contractors Managing Director Jason Spears said. 

“We are proud to be involved in this landmark project that will not only deliver a fast and reliable freight rail service between Melbourne and Brisbane, but also provide significant jobs and economic opportunities across northern NSW,” ACCIONA CEO in Australia and New Zealand Bede Noonan said. 

The Southern Civil Works Package features: 

• 306 kilometres of new track formation 

• Earthworks such as ballast and capping, structural fill and general fill 

• 58 new bridges 

• 14 new viaducts that range between 15 metres to 3,940 metres in length, with 630 culvert banks 

“Inland Rail, from construction through to its delivery, is a nation building project. It is the catalyst for thousands of regional jobs and will ultimately change the way freight is moved around the country. 

“We will need a large local workforce to support this part of the project with an estimated 7,500 workers needed in New South Wales at the peak of construction in 2023-24,” Mrs Pickering said. 

Mrs Pickering added that the ARTC will continue working with both ACACPB JV and Freight Connect to review reference designs as well as develop construction plans and methodologies ahead of the beginning of works next year. 

The two consortia will proceed to seeking partnerships with skilled operators and businesses to support the delivery of the projects – including transport operators, fencing, quarries, earthworks and electrical companies. 

Construction on both Southern and Central Civil Works Packages is anticipated to commence in 2022. 

Source: Australian Rail Track Corporation (1, 2); Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; CPB Contractors; ACCIONA; Laing O'Rourke