Australian owned and operated Martinus Rail has been selected to deliver approximately 570 kilometres of Inland Rail track linking Narromine and Gowrie, Queensland.
This includes the Narromine to Narrabri, Narrabri to North Star phase two, North Star to Border, and Border to Gowrie sections of the project.
Narromine to Narrabri, 306km, is Inland Rail’s longest ‘greenfield’ track section.
The Rail Corridor Program will deliver works with an estimated value of more than $300 million, providing work for an estimated 600 people who will lay 1.7 million tonnes of ballast and 80,000 tonnes of steel rail, and install nearly 950,000 Australian made concrete sleepers.
Martinus emphasises its policy of engaging local contractors and workers as a priority.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton welcomed the news of the contract to deliver the track from Narromine to Gowrie.
“This contract will directly benefit communities from Narromine to the Queensland border, providing work for local people and businesses,” Mr Coulton said.
“With the construction of the Inland Rail, the Australian government is bringing immediate opportunities to our regions, delivering multi-billion-dollar projects right here in our own backyard.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the government is continuing to turn its vision for Inland Rail into a reality.
“Inland Rail is delivering a more efficient national freight network that better connects our mining businesses and agricultural producers with domestic and international markets, while ensuring Australians can access the products they need at home,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“Transporting our most valuable commodities, including iron ore, coal and agricultural products, through a connected network of rail, roads, air and sea is what drives Australia’s economy.
“Our future economic prosperity hinges on our ability to continue exporting the products that fund the services Australians need and deserve and Inland Rail will facilitate this into the future.”
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said Martinus Rail joins more than 400 Australian companies already contracted to supply and service the Inland Rail project.
“The design and construction of Inland Rail has already seen ARTC commit to contracts worth more than $2.2 billion,” Mr Birmingham said.
“This multi-billion-dollar investment is stimulating growth, supporting new jobs and providing opportunities for businesses of all sizes to grow and build capability.”
Work on the Rail Corridor Program will commence next year following completion of the collaborative framework agreement and contract signing.
Track works between Narromine and Gowrie will be completed ahead of Inland Rail operations in 2027.
See more Inland Rail news:
- Rail agreements progress
- Inland Rail project’s progress continues full steam ahead
- Flood modelling, design features review among recommendations for Inland Rail
