The Australian Government’s commitment to the Inland Rail program was reaffirmed in its response to the findings of the Independent Review into the delivery of Inland Rail.
Inland Rail involves the progressive delivery of rail line capable of supporting 1,800 metre long, double stacked freight trains traveling between the Beveridge intermodal terminal in Victoria and the potential terminal at Ebenezer in Queensland in under 24 hours.
A single stacked freight service will link Ebenezer to Kagaru providing connectivity to the existing north coast line between Sydney, Newcastle and Brisbane. The Inland Rail terminals will connect to ports in Melbourne and Brisbane using existing rail corridors.
View a map of the Inland Rail route
When complete, the 1,600 km Inland Rail will connect Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland providing new freight capacity and connectivity to capital cities and ports across Australia including as far west as Adelaide and Perth.
Timeline
The first section of Inland Rail commenced construction in December 2018 and became operational between Parkes and Narromine in September 2020. Construction of the second section between Narrabri and North Star in New South Wales commenced in November 2020 with planned works expected to be complete in 2024.
In light of the recommendations of the 2023 Independent Review, the Australian Government has adopted a staged approach to deliver Inland Rail. Construction of Inland Rail sections from Beveridge in Victoria, through to Parkes and Narromine in New South Wales has been prioritised for delivery by 2027.
Further delivery of Inland Rail north of Narromine will be considered by the Government as primary approvals are gained and the costs of the program are certain.
Funding
The Australian Government has committed up to $14.5 billion in equity to the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to support the delivery of Inland Rail.
Benefits
Inland Rail is providing direct and indirect benefits, with jobs and economic stimulus for local communities.
Inland Rail will support a freight mode shift from road to rail between Melbourne and Brisbane helping to improve road safety and cut carbon emissions associated with the movement of domestic and bulk freight goods.
Read more about Inland Rail and the benefits already delivered at www.InlandRail.gov.au