GOVERNMENT-owned rail network manager the Australian Rail Track Corporation has harnessed the skills of multi-national construction firm Laing O’Rourke for the delivery of civil works for Inland Rail sections in Northern New South Wales and Southern Queensland.
The collaborative framework agreement between the ARTC and Freight Connect (a consortium led by Laing O’Rourke and including FKG Group) will focus on an approximately 85km section between North Star in New South Wales and Whetstone in Queensland as well as a separate 14km package south of Moree called Narrabri to North Star Phase 2.
ARTC Inland Rail interim chief Rebecca Pickering said the announcement was the culmination of months of work by ARTC and was a crucial part of the project as it delivered the “missing link” between the two states where no previous rail line existed.
“Inland Rail is a fast freight backbone that will transform how goods are moved around Australia – it’s also a catalyst for regional employment and economic opportunity,” Mrs Pickering said.
Laing O’Rourke managing director Cathal O’Rourke welcomed the announcement confirming the business, together with its partner FKG Group, was committed to delivering the project in partnership with local business and leaving a legacy in each of the local communities along the alignment.
“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,” Mr O’Rourke said.
Mrs Pickering said the appointment of a civil works proponent in parallel with environmental planning approvals will allow local businesses to hit the ground running when formal approval is given.
“Major construction will not start until statutory approvals have been received from the New South Wales, Queensland and Australian governments, but the appointment of a preferred proponent now tells local businesses to get ‘Inland Rail ready’ and start talking with Freight Connect about what the future looks like,” she said.
“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 the bridge that spans the Macintyre River which serves as the border between the two states.”
Freight Connect will initially be working with ARTC to review the reference design and develop construction plans and methodologies ahead of the development of a fully costed proposal for the first of the works packages next year.
“Freight Connect will soon be seeking partnerships with businesses and skilled operators that can support project delivery such as transport operators, fencing, quarries, earthworks and electrical companies. This appointment at this time also allows them to maximise local jobs and procurement,” Mrs Pickering said.
