Aurizon back Feds’ rail freight money

THE RAIL freight package offered by the federal government as a sweetener to its announcement of the truncation of Inland Rail has been welcomed by Aurizon.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King today [6 May] announced a further $1.75 billion investment to improve the productivity, resilience and reliability of Australia’s freight rail network, alongside a $55 million incentive scheme to get more freight moving by rail and sea.  improve Australia’s freight rail network.

“This builds on the Albanese government’s existing $1.04 billion commitment to upgrade the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s (ARTC) network, taking the total investment in the Network Investment Program to almost $2.8 billion,” Ms King said.

“This record investment in the ARTC’s existing network will enable more freight to move via rail, with important upgrades to be delivered where they are needed most.”

The works will involve upgrades to improve the efficiency of the East Coast network, including track renewal works, passing loop extensions, improved signalling to remove key speed restrictions, improve transit times, support larger trains and enhance service reliability and safety.

Works will also include resilience upgrades in high-risk flood-prone sections particularly along the East-West Corridor, which has faced many multi-week closures over the last decade following downpours in central Australia.

Aurizon managing director and CEO Andrew Harding said the funding boost would make a real difference in improving the resilience and reliability of track infrastructure across the country.

“Aurizon, through the Freight on Rail Group, has advocated for additional funding to help improve the resilience of Australia’s national freight rail network and we appreciate the Government listening and acting on industry concerns,” Mr Harding said.

“A combination of increased extreme weather events and the long-term deterioration of track infrastructure have had an adverse impact on the rail industry in recent years, causing lengthy track outages and disruptions for our customers.

“This has resulted in more freight shifting from rail to road and this makes absolutely no sense given rail is more efficient, safer, reduces congestion on our roads and produces far less carbon emissions.

“This new investment of $1.75 billion, combined with a previously announced commitment of $1.04 billion, will support targeted investment in the ARTC network, which traverses much of the nation, east to west and north to south.

“The government has indicated the money will be spent on initiatives such as resilience upgrades in high-risk flood-prone areas of the network as well as on track renewal works, passing loop extensions and improved signalling.”