Media Release: Let’s Make Tracks

Today marks a historic milestone in the story of rail and freight in Australia with the sod turning for Inland Rail taking place in Parkes, NSW. Inland Rail construction heralds a new era not only for the regions involved but the whole of Australia - boosting jobs, creating vital infrastructure and strengthening the economy.

Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is focused on a timely delivery of the Inland Rail project and with support from governments, in partnership with the private sector and hand-in-hand with the community, they will ensure as many of the benefits as possible from Inland Rail will flow into local regions.

As of 26 November 2018 ARTC had 187 live contracts for materials, goods and services worth $637 million. This major project is expected to deliver an estimated 2,300 new jobs in the Darling Downs region and with the ARTC committed to using local suppliers and labour where possible it provides local businesses with  opportunities.

Local Toowoomba businesses have already begun getting involved at this current stage of the project, from Parkes to Narromine, and been tendering for rail contracts.

Minstaff Survey’s General Manager, Jake Laing, attended the Inland Rail Conference in Parkes in July earlier this year with TSBE to learn more about the project and the opportunities available. At the conference key supply contracts were awarded for the Parkes to Narromine section and an over $300 million construction contract has been signed with INLink Joint Venture, which is the first construction stage of the Inland Rail project.

Minstaff Survey also attended a Supplier Briefing Session for the INLink Joint Venture consortium hosted by TSBE last September. This gave Minstaff Survey the platform to engage with the INLink Project Managers and Procurement Team and the opportunity to tender for the project. This has created a great prospect for a Toowoomba business to be involved in such an early stage of Inland Rail development. Mr Laing said, “I am very thankful for the opportunity to attend the Inland Rail Conference and to the TSBE team for making it easier for us to engage with the key decision makers.”

Another Toowoomba based business, Joe Wagner Group, a specialist rail contractor has also been involved in the tender process for the Inland Rail project. They attended the TSBE Supplier Briefing Session and recently sponsored TSBE’s November Enterprise Evening encouraging businesses to get Inland Rail Ready. Nick Wagner, Managing Director of Joe Wagner Group said, “This has been a fantastic platform for us to showcase our rail capability. We are developing a reputation as industry leaders in rail construction and see this as a core service for our business in future.”

TSBE CEO, Ali Davenport said, “The Inland Rail project brings plenty of opportunity to our region and it is great to see local businesses already engaging with prospects available. The Inland Rail project offers so many benefits for our region, not just at the project completion but through the entire lifespan of the project.“

For media enquires please contact: Kristy Hayes, 0419 490 355