Inland Rail’s final stages shelved after shock $45 billion price tag revealed
Independent analysis found the full line would cost more than $45 billion, prompting the government to redirect $1.75 billion to existing freight upgrades.
- On Wednesday, Transport Minister Catherine King confirmed the federal government will scale back the Inland Rail project, ending the 1600km line at Parkes in central New South Wales after costs tripled to more than $45 billion.
- Independent analysis by economics consultants ACIL Allen prompted the decision, revealing the project's cost soared from $16.4 billion in 2020 to more than $45 billion, King said.
- Instead of completing the full route, the government will pour an extra $1.75 billion into the Australian Rail Track Corporation network to upgrade tracks, improve signalling, and extend passing loops.
- Opposition transport spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie labelled the plan a "road to nowhere," while Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey called the decision a "direct hit" for regional communities.
- While the government will retain land for the corridor north of Parkes, officials indicated the 23km section through Moree will only be considered for future upgrades alongside other national freight network components.
37 Articles
37 Articles
Newcastle Herald
Newcastle container terminal viability dealt a massive blow from inland rail cancellation
Port of Newcastle's container terminal plans face a blow after the federal government cancelled the Inland Rail link. Discover how this impacts diversification away from coal and future job prospects.
Inland rail link halved after $45bn cost blowout
It was lauded as one of the biggest infrastructure investments ever for regional Australia. Now the roughly half-complete Inland Rail Project has been officially scaled back. The 1,600km route was first intended to transport freight between Melbourne and Brisbane. But with the projected cost blowing out to $45 billion, the government says the project will instead finish in the NSW town of Parkes, pledging to redirect money to improve existing fr…
The Epoch Times
anr.newsFarmers Seek Answers After Labor Scales Back Inland Rail Project
The New South Wales (NSW) Farmers Federation is calling on the federal government to provide answers amid news the Inland Rail project—a freight route to provide connection from Brisbane to Melbourne—will have most of its track scrapped. The planned 1,700 kilometre long freight rail line would have cut through regional parts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, providing a dedicated freight highway for producers to move commodities like …
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