100 years in the making, Australians from Bush to Beach will benefit from Inland Rail

And while there’s still a way to go before expected operation in 2025, it’s a moment to consider why the Australian Rail Track Corporation, on behalf of the Federal Government, is getting on with building Inland Rail.

With our population growing, we’re facing a congestion issue in our cities and a freight challenge that will impact the whole country.

On the eastern seaboard, road has three national highways between Melbourne and Brisbane, yet only one national rail line that for part of the journey shares the network with the busy Sydney commuter rail system. With the freight task set to double by 2050 that is not going to cut it.

For Australia to compete and thrive on the world stage, we need a world-class freight network – like in North America and Europe – that supports our farmers and businesses to move products to markets domestically and overseas faster, safer and more efficiently.

The efficiencies will come from a road-competitive 24-hour transit time, heavier axle loads and double-stacked container trains up to 1.8 km long. An example we already have in our own back yard – from Perth to Parkes – where the ability to run longer, heavier trains has led to 80% of freight travelling on rail.

With Inland Rail we will replicate these conditions from Melbourne to Brisbane and enhance our national freight network – connecting our capital cities, farms, mines and ports, creating jobs, reducing supply chain costs and making Australian exports more competitive by linking-in with other major infrastructure.

But the benefits are already flowing, including to our regions, with over $600 million worth of contracts already awarded and jobs created in Parkes, the Southern Highlands and Tamworth this is only the beginning and we expect to see around 16,000 jobs and $16 billion dollars to the national economy stimulating business activity beyond the construction phase.

Inland Rail has been dubbed the ‘Steel Mississippi’, given the way that river snakes through the United States bringing with it trade and prosperity, but perhaps it should be better known as the ‘Steel Murray’ noting the Australian steel forging its path.

We’ve got close to 12,000 tonnes of Whyalla steel already delivered for the project and with five Sydney Harbour Bridges worth of steel required for Inland Rail in total, there is a huge pipeline of opportunities for Australian workers.

It’s fitting that construction commences in Parkes. Once Inland Rail is in operation, Parkes will become an important hub and companies are already investing millions in freight terminals and other infrastructure to be Inland Rail ready.

Cities like Sydney also benefit, not only from work associated with the project, but Inland Rail creates new capacity for rail lines currently carrying freight and passenger trains from Southwest Sydney and the Southern Highlands.

We are investing in our future in more ways than one and Inland Rail is that rare project where Australians of all walks of life – from the Bush to the Beach – get to share in the benefits.