Inland Rail

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Schrinner 'playing politics' in freight rail opposition: Labor

[Gazza]

Meh, in the business case they mention the 2040s is when the gateway section would be warranted.
Nothing due to happen on it until well after the main inland rail is done.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Bechtel is considering becoming a partner in the proposed Melbourne to Brisbane inland railway line

ONE of the world's largest construction engineering companies is looking at becoming a partner in the proposed $12 billion Melbourne to Brisbane ­inland railway.

US-based Bechtel is in preliminary talks with Brisbane-based National Trunk Rail (NTR) about becoming an engineering, procurement and construction management partner for the project first mooted a century ago.

Bechtel's interest adds weight to NTR's bid to build the 1595km link against a rival proposal by the government-owned Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).

NTR chairman Martin Albrecht said the talks with Bechtel signalled there was strong private sector interest in the project that had the potential to take thousands of trucks off the Hume Highway and other roads every day.

"The Government does not believe the private sector is stepping up to build this project, but the interest by Bechtel shows otherwise," Mr Albrecht said ...

More > http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/bechtel-is-considering-becoming-a-partner-in-the-proposed-melbourne-to-brisbane-inland-railway-line/story-fnihsps3-1227565251936

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Parkes mayor: Inland Rail crucial to intermodal success

[colinw]

Couriermail --> Bechtel is considering becoming a partner in the proposed Melbourne to Brisbane inland railway line

ONE of the world's largest construction engineering companies is looking at becoming a partner in the proposed $12 billion Melbourne to Brisbane ­inland railway.

Just to be clear, this article is talking about the National Trunk Railway (NTR) proposal, not the ARTC Inland Rail proposal.  AFAIK the NTR proposal has little or no Government support.

[ozbob]

The Chronicle --> Inland Rail project gains traction as tender opens

[colinw]

Interesting.  The current ARTC documents now show the line going via Oakey and a part of the old Cecil Plains branch as far as Mt Tyson.  Might explain the Government's unwillingness to engage with the meatworks at Oakey.

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Technical services tender open for Inland Rail

[ozbob]

The Chronicle --> Inland rail dream running low on steam

[ozbob]

Stock and Land --> Inland rail to slash freight costs

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Siemens joins push for private Inland Rail

The group advocating a private sector alternative to the Inland Rail project has added a major ally, with German multinational Siemens entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the push.

National Trunk Rail is a proponent of a private sector-funded inland rail line between Brisbane and Melbourne it says is shorter, straighter, flatter and faster than the current project being worked on by the Federal Government.

Siemens, in the MoU announced on Tuesday, has agreed to become a core member of the NTR team.

"We are dedicated to powering Australia's rail networks into the future," Siemens Australia chief executive Jeff Connolly said.

"This MoU strengthens our intelligent infrastructure solutions portfolio in rail networks and operators across Australia."

NTR chairman Martin Albrecht said an alliance with Siemens would be crucial to NTR delivering a 21st century solution to meet the needs of industries that could benefit from an inland rail line.

"The need for an inland freight rail line is now, and a competitive integrated transport supply chain solution will be critical to achieving the national productivity required to deliver sustainable prosperity from Australia's recently negotiated Free Trade Agreements," Albrecht said.

Albrecht also welcomed the government's recent moves to investigate the privatisation of the Australian Rail Track Corporation, and the acknowledgement of the role the ARTC has to play in the potential delivery of an inland rail route.

"NTR is encouraged that the government's terms of reference will specifically look at the delivery and/or operation of inland rail by a party other than ARTC," he added.

"NTR stands ready to deliver a superior private sector inland rail solution ... should the government open up its vision for inland rail to an efficient private sector solution, without the need for investment of billions of dollars of taxpayers' funds."

The NTR team also announced on Tuesday the addition of former Queensland director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet Jon Grayson.

[verbatim9]

I wonder if we can push forward with an inland electric freight rail?

[red dragin]

I once met a QR infrastructure person at a mutual friends birthday party.

He was telling me that all up, with the efficiency's of the modern diesels, they can be cheaper to run when you factor in the maintenance of the overhead, earthing of structures etc.

Given electricity doesn't come from the cleanest of sources in this country, diesels pollution levels probably aren't that much worse either.

[SurfRail]

Short answer - no.  It wouldn't attract the kind of intensity of use an electric railway would require to be useful (hence why the coal lines will continue with electric motive power, and that in fact is likely to expand, and why it won't go any further up the NCL than it already does).

[ghostryder]

Hope the new Inland route is above major flood level. I saw a small several hundred metre section of line bring the closure to the North Coast and Coal operations for a day or so due to a foot or two of water over the tracks in the Hunter.

[verbatim9]

Yeah above flood level and at least dual guage track (overhead electrified) to Toowoomba to utilise the track for commuter rail as well. (Connecting communities).

[ozbob]

http://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/chester/releases/2016/March/dc011_2016.aspx

More than $11 million in Inland Rail contracts awarded

Media Release

08 March 2016

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has awarded more than $11 million in contracts in recent weeks to progress planning on the Inland Rail project. The contracts include a range of crucial field studies and environmental assessments across three states.

Announcing the contracts during a visit to the ARTC today, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester, said the contracts are for the provision of Technical and Engineering Advisory Services and discrete parcels of engineering and environmental consultancy across the alignment.

"Inland Rail is now in the planning and environmental approvals phase and ARTC and its consultants will commence critical field studies along the alignment over the coming weeks," Mr Chester said.

"A joint venture of SMEC and Arup has won the Technical and Engineering Advisory contact and will provide a team of subject matter experts who will significantly bolster the resources of ARTC's Inland Rail team.

"This is vital work that the Government committed to ensure Inland Rail is construction ready," Mr Chester said

A further six contracts have been awarded to leading consultancies, GHD Pty Ltd, Parsons Brinkerhoff, AECOM, ARUP and Jacobs for the initial environmental investigations and engineering design for each of the projects in the programme.

"The consultancies will work alongside our existing Inland Rail team, gathering environmental data, talking to communities and further developing designs to enable ARTC to take each of these projects to the relevant planning agencies for initial assessment later this year," Mr Chester said.

"This will then help to set terms of reference for the formal Environmental Impact Assessments required for the programme to progress through the planning assessment process."

This latest development follows Infrastructure Australia naming Inland Rail as a priority initiative on the newly updated Infrastructure Priority List.

"Inland Rail is a game-changer for Australia as it is being designed to provide a dedicated Melbourne to Brisbane freight link that is reliable and provides a less than 24 hour transit time at an attractive price, enabling the market to move goods when the market wants," Mr Chester said.

"Inland Rail will boost regional economic growth and drive national productivity as it will connect key production areas in Queensland, NSW and Victoria with export ports in Brisbane and Melbourne, with linkages to Sydney, Adelaide and Perth."

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Inland Rail needs to be funded properly or dumped, former deputy prime minister John Anderson says

Former deputy prime minister John Anderson has warned the Federal Government it must allocate more than $1 billion in the budget to fund Inland Rail, or dump the scheme altogether.

Mr Anderson said the farm and business sectors want certainty the Government is committed to completing 1,700 kilometres of track connecting Brisbane and Melbourne, and linking south-east Queensland to Adelaide and Perth.

Farmers have lobbied governments to build an inland rail network for decades and argue the current system costs them hundreds of thousands of dollars each year because it is inefficient and slow.

The former Labor government committed to the Inland Rail project and when the Coalition came to power it promised to fast-track it.

But Mr Anderson is disappointed there has not been any new funding since 2013.

"If the Government doesn't think [Inland Rail] ought to be, then it should kill it [and] end any uncertainty," he told the ABC.

"This sort of half pregnant stuff that we get... we're seeing too much of that from governments."

Last year he wrote a report for Government which found that the project would create 16,000 jobs during the construction phase, and that eastern Australia will become clogged up with heavy multi-carriage trucks if the network is not built.

"I think people think government is losing its ability to make clear-cut decisions, and they want clear-cut decisions. And I can tell you something else: Australians get that infrastructure creates jobs and wealth and a stronger economy," Mr Anderson said.

"Whether it's done by 30-year bonds or however it's done, it's never been cheaper to borrow and there are times where even if you have to borrow, then it makes sense [because] you grow a bigger economy."
Current system costing farmers

Australia's current rail system costs grain farmers like Dan Cooper, from south-west New South Wales, hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.

"Rail being the core component of getting grain or produce to port, you know, I think we're the second highest cost producer in the world," he said.

Mr Cooper said the inefficient nature of the system leaves Australia's agricultural sector at a significant disadvantage to competitors like Canada and the United States.

"So when you look at our $20 freight advantage into Asia just by proximity, that is evaporated through inefficient supply chains," he said.

He said the Government should look to the private sector for co-investment in the project and was adamant the results would be worthwhile.

"I'm sure when they were building a dam up in the Abercrombie (for the Snowy Hydro Scheme) they were thinking, 'what the hell's this going to do?', but when you look at what it's done to those regional communities, it's just quite amazing and that's how it needs to be viewed," he said.

"It's a long-term strategy and again, that's the shortcoming of the budgets we've seen over the decades. We don't see that intergenerational view of what big infrastructure tickets can bring to the economy."

The Government is considering allocating more money to Inland Rail but it is unclear how big the commitment could be.

When questioned about it by the ABC in Sydney, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said: "I know how much has been allocated... and I'm not telling you."

[ozbob]

Inland rail project to get funding https://t.co/1pLDCW3yeM

— EVERALD COMPTON (@EVERALDATLARGE) April 18, 2016

[#Metro]

How fast do freight trains go, and what speed would the line be built to?

At 100 km/hour, this implies a 17 hour trip to Brisbane.

If the speed of the train were increased to a modest 160 km/hour, it would cut off 7 hours from the trip.

A curiosity is why freight at higher speeds hasn't taken off.

[ozbob]

Costs.  Keeping a high speed up for heavy freight is not cost effective.  100 km/h is fine.

[petey3801]

SG freight is up to 115km/h, so ever so slightly better than what QLD does (unsure why QLD has 100km/h limit, whether it is just a legacy limit or what the go is..).

[OzGamer]

I'm pretty sure the freight from Adelaide to Perth is 100km/hr and from memory Adelaide to Darwin goes no faster than 90km/hr.

Brisbane to Melbourne would not be built with passengers in mind, but there's no reason you couldn't have trains like the Indian Pacific or the Ghan doing Brisbane <-> Melbourne. It would be a great trip.

[ozbob]

Weekly Times --> Minister hints at freight train link cash

THERE are strong hints the federal government will find cash in the budget to build an inland freight railway link connecting Melbourne and Brisbane via rural NSW.

Transport Minister Darren Chester has written an opinion piece for The Australian saying the 1700-kilometre project could provide a transit time of less than 24 hours.

The most recent cost estimate for the project is $10.7 billion but it would have $22 billion worth of direct and indirect benefits to the economy, Mr Chester said.

A day after the government positioned itself as the best friend of owner-operator truck drivers by abolishing a controversial tribunal, Mr Chester wrote that inland rail has the potential to take 200,000 truck movements off the road.

"One train carries about the same as 110 B-double trucks," he said.

"As a passionate advocate for reducing road trauma, this is a project that will save lives."

[tazzer9]

I'm pretty sure the freight from Adelaide to Perth is 100km/hr and from memory Adelaide to Darwin goes no faster than 90km/hr.

Adelaide to Darwin has been built for the majority of it to be capable of 115.  Its probably just a case of no traffic on the line at the moment is capable of those speeds.    From memory 1800m trains elsewhere in australia are limited to 100/80?  The Gahn would never go that speed due to comfort reasons.  Adelaide to Perth its probably a legacy blanket speed for bureaucratic reasons, most of it is capable of faster.   

Inland rail has to be built to at least 115km/h for frieghts for the overwhelming majority of the route.   Ideally with long passing lanes instead of short loops so the train isnt wasting thousands of litres of diesel trying to get it back up to speed.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Former Thiess boss Albrecht wants to build $12bn inland freight rail line

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> $594m for Inland Rail in budget

Scott Morrison has committed almost $600 million to the Inland Rail project in Tuesday night's federal budget.

"We know that an inland rail link will help to integrate domestic markets and bring global export markets closer to home," the federal treasurer told the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

"This is particularly important to leverage the benefits of our export trade agreements for Australian agriculture.

"That is why the Turnbull Government will take the next step to realising an integrated inland rail link connecting Brisbane and Melbourne."

Morrison announced the 2016 budget will include $594 million in additional equity for the Australian Rail Track Corporation to acquire land for the project.

"Inland Rail is a truly transformational project that will open up the freight corridor between Melbourne and Brisbane, via regional New South Wales, and boost productivity for decades," infrastructure minister Darren Chester said.

"The Inland Rail project will be delivered through the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) in partnership with the private sector."

Chester said the Government will soon begin market testing for private sector involvement in the project.

"The economic benefits of Inland Rail will be felt across the nation," he said.

"The east coast freight corridor between Melbourne and Brisbane already generates 75% of Australia's gross domestic product.

"It is responsible for commodity exports of more than $260 billion each year.

"Inland Rail will deliver almost $22.5 billion of direct and indirect benefits to Australia. Inland Rail will be a huge boon for industry, including the mining and agricultural sectors in eastern Australia, helping to meet the long-term Melbourne to Brisbane freight challenge."

Chester said land acquisition would commence in 2017.

Australian Logistics Council chairman Michael Kilgariff welcomed the announcement.

"The 1700 kilometre link between Brisbane and Melbourne will transform the way we move freight around the country, and in effect will complete the spine of the national freight rail network," Kilgariff said.

"The project will also reduce pressure on our road infrastructure and improve the global competitiveness of our exporters.

"ALC stands ready to work with the Government to progress the next stage of the project's development."

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Budget 2016: Inland rail network funding 'a major breakthrough

The Federal Government's $594 million budget commitment to an inland rail network connecting Brisbane to Melbourne will be a major boost for Australian business, proponents say.

Treasurer Scott Morrison announced spending for rail land acquisition as one of the measures for rural Australia in the budget he handed down Tuesday night.

Inland railway advisory group member Everald Compton, who had lobbied for the project for 20 years, said the announcement was "a breakthrough of some significance".

He said inland rail now had bipartisan support, meaning it is likely to go ahead.

"I believe that that rail track can be up and going five years from now if governments are serious about it, but allowing for the fact that bureaucracy will hold it up, we may be talking about 10 [years]," he said.

"I'm pleased it's finally been recognised that Australia has to have good freight railways that will serve rural Australia, give them efficient low-cost transport to ports and to markets in Australia," he said.

Mr Compton said opening the Brisbane-Melbourne rail link would take several thousand trucks off the roads.

"It'll be better on the environment, but it'll mean that whereas you've got 2,000 truck drivers, you can have a train that's only got a couple of staff on it and therefore reduce the freight costs for anyone doing business in Australia," he said.

"It's a very significant step forward and it's been worth waiting to have. There's a long way to go, we've got to carry it on then up to Gladstone, and up to Townsville and across through Mt Isa to Tenant Creek where it'll meet the Adelaide-Darwin railway." ...

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Inland Rail cancels ARTC sale

[ozbob]

http://www.ara.net.au/content/welcome-investment-inland-rail

ARA Statement

A Welcome Investment For Inland Rail

2016 May 04 | 01:15pm

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) welcomes the announcement in the 2016-2017 Budget that $594 million in additional equity will be allocated to the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to acquire land to preserve the corridor for Inland Rail, continue pre-construction activities and undertake due diligence.

Preserving the rail corridor between Melbourne and Brisbane is a vital first step in this iconic infrastructure project and this funding is necessary.

"It is pleasing to see the Turnbull Government act on the report of the Inland Rail Implementation Group, chaired by former Nationals Leader, John Anderson, and the Business Case developed by ARTC, and commit to building the Inland Rail project." said ARA Chief Executive Officer, Danny Broad.

"It is also great to see ARTC taking charge of this project and being kept in Government ownership at this stage. This is welcomed by the rail freight industry.

"Inland Rail was a key recommendation in the ARA's 2016 election publication, 5 Platforms for Change. It is also in Infrastructure Australia's 15 year strategic plan.

"Freight between Melbourne and Brisbane is set to double in a very short period of time and without rail the impact on our roads will be catastrophic," said Danny Broad. "The project will provide certainty for business and the opportunity for the private sector to invest in complementary projects. It will make us more competitive and it will save our roads.

"The Budget was touted by the Treasurer as one for jobs and growth. Inland Rail will boost productivity and create job – up to 16,000 new jobs at the peak of construction – that will reap benefits immediately and well into the future.

"Inland Rail will reduce the distance between Melbourne and Brisbane by 200km, offering a less than 24 hour transit time between the two cities.

"Inland Rail will have far-reaching implications for the logistics, farming and resources sectors, as well as road and rail commuters. Delays in progressing towards a build will have a significant economic impact on Australia.

"We call on the Turnbull Government to ensure Inland Rail remains a priority for Australia," said Danny Broad.

-ENDS-

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Southeast Brisbane councillors demand clarity on Inland Rail after the project scored $594 million in the federal Budget

SOUTHEAST Brisbane councillors are demanding more clarity on the Inland Rail project after $594 million was earmarked for the project in the Budget.

The Federal Government released a delivery plan for the Australian Rail Track Corporation Melbourne-to-Brisbane freight line last year but it remained unclear exactly where the track, leading to the Port of Brisbane, would be built. Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the funding would allow for land acquisition to begin next year.

He said "communities will be given certainty as the alignment is decided".

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said while he welcomed funding in the federal Budget for the Inland Rail project, the council had clear ideas about how it should be rolled out.

"Quite clearly, we've indicated from day one that we want to see that area from Acacia Ridge to the port undergrounded," he said.

"It's right through the middle of an urban area and we need to have that by way of a tunnel facility. It's not the cheapest (option), we understand that, but it's also a case that if you're going to get these projects up you have to make sure you take the community with you."

Councillors Adrian Schrinner (Chandler) and Ryan Murphy (Doboy) feared the "Eastern Freight Rail Bypass" option alongside the Gateway Motorway.

"Houses, bushland and anything that's currently along the motorway could be in jeopardy," Cr Schrinner said. "It's the uncertainty that's the big issue."

■ When seeking feedback on the plan last year, Cr Schrinner (Chandler) received about 1700 responses

■ Cr Murphy (Doboy) received about 1000 and Cr Angela Owen-Taylor (Parkinson) received more than 400 responses

[ozbob]

Twitter

Cr Adrian Schrinner ‏@Schrinner 2 minutes ago

@Team_Quirk will NOT support a freight & coal rail line alongside the Gateway Motorway. http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/southeast/southeast-brisbane-councillors-demand-clarity-on-inland-rail-after-the-project-scored-594-million-in-the-federal-budget/news-story/560244e158b608cde2b74b44534706c3 ...

[ozbob]

Blast from the past 29 August 2013

Couriermail --> Rail tunnel to Port of Brisbane needed to ease increasing traffic congestion

The privately-owned Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd yesterday welcomed the Federal Coalition's commitment to building a tunnel from Acacia Ridge to the facility, as part of the Inland Rail project.

Deputy Coalition leader Warren Truss joined Queensland Transport Minister Scott Emerson to announce a Coalition Government in Canberra would spend $300 million over three years to get the decade-long project underway.

Port of Brisbane chief executive Russell Smith said they believed the delivery of a "sustainable, long-term rail freight transport solution was needed urgently to prevent worsening freight-induced traffic congestion".

He said without a dedicated freight rail solution, by 2025 more than seven million annual truck movements servicing the Port of Brisbane would be needed to sustain Queensland's population and economic growth.

"Key benefits stemming from the development of a dedicated rail freight line to service the Port of Brisbane include significant reduction in future truck related traffic congestion on southeast Queensland roads, improved road safety and community amenity, and reduced road infrastructure costs," said Mr Smith.

Australia's largest rail freight company Aurizon also backed the announcement, expressing particular interest in the proposed rail freight corridor from Rosewood west of Ipswich via Acacia Ridge to the Port of Brisbane. ...

[#Metro]

Makes sense.

So the rail needs to be in a tunnel but the freeway no? How does that work?

Bushes are a fire hazard. Lol.

[ozbob]

Another plan ...

The reason that everybody likes planning is that nobody has to do anything. Jerry Brown

[SurfRail]

I can't think of anything off-hand that would require a BCC sign off seeing it would be on State land, so how about they just stick it?

[tazzer9]

If there going for the tunnel option, It likely have to be electrified due to its length.   
= more unnecessary costs and then the need for standard gauge electric locos to haul only a small part of the trip.

We already have a standard gauge rail line to the port of brisbane.  And if CCR was done right, this line would be exclusively for freight. Only upgrades that would need to be done are extending the clapham loop (possibly grade separating the dual gauge line from the tennyson line as well) and building a 1800m dual gauge loop around hemmant. With some rail upgrades at the port itself.

We have much bigger things to worry about when it comes to inland rail.  Like does it go via toowoomba or cut inwards around Warwick or both. Where is the freight hub going to be, Bromelton or elsewhere.   How much of the existing NSW main north and qld southern line is used and how it gets upgraded.   
Simple questions like what signalling systems will be used, passing loop length, loop frequency, will intermediate locomotives be allowed, double stack capability, enroute freight hubs and provisioning still haven't been fully answered.

[Stillwater]

Putting aside the practicalities of a freight line at ground level .... So, a tunnel won't have venting stacks?  Same aldermen will want ventilation shafts 'undergrounded' too.   

[SurfRail]

They can be in somebody else's ward (preferably from the other side of politics!)

[ozbob]

NTR PPP 2016
National Trunk Rail
Shorter, Straighter, Flatter & Faster. A Public Private Partnership (PPP) process is the best way to deliver Inland Rail.