$30m of Inland Rail Contracts Brings Construction Closer

The Melbourne to Brisbane inland rail continues to make headway with almost $30 million in contracts awarded to four companies for feasibility and detailed design work on the nationally significant project.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the contracts were awarded in a competitive process for work on four sections in New South Wales and Victoria.

“These contracts will provide vital input into the Australian Government's work to get inland rail construction ready,” Chester said.

“The consultancies will support the ongoing approvals process, environmental investigations and engineering design for each of the projects.”

[Related reading: Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail Set to Boost Industrial Property Values]The contracts to deliver feasibility design work for the Tottenham to Illabo section was awarded to Kellogg Brown & Root for $6 million and the Stockinbingal to Parkes section was awarded to Lycopodium Infrastructure for $500,000.

The detailed design work contracts for both the Parkes to Narromine and Narrabri to North Star sections has been awarded to WSP Australia and Mott MacDonald Australia, with the Parkes to Narromine works valued at approximately $10 million and the Narrabri to North Star works valued around $13 million.

The contracts will deliver consulting services to provide engineering, design, environmental assessment and approval activities.

Chester said the inland rail would support further development, investment and innovation in the regions, and stimulate new opportunities for regional businesses.

“This critical infrastructure will be a launch pad to develop intermodal hubs and attract new manufacturing and production business to regional communities,” he said.

These contacts give businesses greater certainty that inland rail is happening and the Australian Government will be supporting industry and communities to make the most of the opportunities that inland rail delivers."