Inland Rail delivers boost to regional Victoria

Inland Rail directors visit Wangaratta (LtoR) – James Cain, Vivienne King, Erin Flaherty, Louise Thurgood and Robert Rust (Executive Chairman).

The visit comes as Inland Rail released new figures showing the project has already spent over $60 million with 226 local businesses in regional Victoria since construction of the project began in the state.

From engineers and trades people to caterers and accommodation providers, Victorian businesses are seizing the opportunity to work on the nation building Inland Rail project, supplying essential goods and services at the first four Inland Rail sites at Seymour, Barnawartha North, Glenrowan, and Wangaratta.

In addition, nearly 1,000 Victorians have already been employed on the Inland Rail project to date, and when construction begins on the remaining eight Victorian Inland Rail sites in 2025 it will provide a further boost for local employment and business.

Inland Rail is a nation building project that will transform how goods are moved around Australia, first connecting Beveridge to Parkes, NSW, by 2027 before later connecting from Narromine, New South Wales, to Ebenezer, Queensland.

In Victoria, work will take place at 12 sites between Beveridge and Albury, to enable double-stacked freight trains to pass safely and ensure everyday products can be delivered faster and more reliably around Australia.

Nick Miller, Inland Rail Chief Executive Officer said:

“It’s great for the board to visit Wangaratta and see firsthand the exciting transformation of the railway station precinct.

“The Inland Rail project is not only a critical piece of infrastructure which will change the way freight will be moved in this country, but also an economic stimulus for the regions it passes through.

“It’s great to see so many local businesses winning contracts on the project and next year as we begin Tranche 2, even more local communities will benefit from the project.”