WAGGA WAGGA JOBS BOOST ON THE BACK OF INLAND RAIL
Inland Rail continues to create local jobs and spark local economies with concrete sleepers for the nation-building infrastructure project being made in Wagga Wagga.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has signed contracts worth $143 million with Austrak, one of Australia’s largest manufacturers of railway sleepers, to supply sleepers for the Inland Rail project, which will support 36 jobs at Austrak’s Wagga Wagga operations.
The 1.3 million sleepers under the new contract will be used to upgrade existing track and complete new sections of rail from Albury through to the Inland Rail end point in Queensland.
Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack commended Austrak on its role in building the Inland Rail, creating many local jobs and boosting the Wagga Wagga economy.
“Inland Rail is a significant nation-building project, changing how rail freight is moved around Australia while enhancing our immediate and long-term economic prospects,” Mr McCormack said.
“This is proof the Inland Rail is supporting local economies not only along its 1,700-kilometre corridor of commerce – but right across the country and particularly in our regions – now and into the future.
“These 36 jobs being supported in Wagga Wagga show that this significant project is directly supporting the Wagga Wagga economy.
“Without this contract, Austrak tells me they would have to shut this facility. That’s what this work means to them.”
The $143 million agreement between the ARTC and Austrak will see the delivery of 695,000 standard gauge sleepers for projects in New South Wales and 615,000 dual gauge for projects in Queensland.
ARTC Inland Rail Interim Chief Executive Rebecca Pickering said the contract was a concrete commitment to Inland Rail’s delivery, which will be a catalyst for regional employment and economic opportunity.
“Inland Rail is a game changer for regional Australia. It will transform how we move goods around Australia, better link businesses to markets and generate new opportunities for industries and regions,” Mrs Pickering said.
“We’ve already committed more than 700 contracts to businesses in both Queensland and New South Wales with a committed value of $2.3 billion across the two states, and this agreement will create even more economic stimulus as the country recovers from the impacts of the pandemic,” she said.
“Austrak will employ approximately 50 people at the peak of this work – these are jobs that Inland Rail is directly supporting.
“We have already had around 225,000 sleepers delivered from Austrak for the Narromine to North Star project currently under construction and it’s great to have them on board for the remaining projects of Inland Rail.
“Large-scale infrastructure projects such as Inland Rail are a catalyst for growth – they support jobs, give businesses the boost they need to employ more people and encourage local investment.”
Managing Director for Austrak Murray Adams said the company is delighted that ARTC Inland Rail selected Austrak for a contract of this magnitude in this important nation building project.
“This contract win means a great deal to our local communities in Rockhampton where we employ over 60 people, and in Wagga where we will employ 36 people while supporting the delivery of Inland Rail,” Mr Adams said.
“It’s our biggest ever contract and recognises the capabilities of the whole Austrak team who continually producing high quality sleepers that meet the increasing demands of our customers and underpin the increasing importance that rail will play into the future.”
For more information on Inland Rail contracts and commitments, or to explore opportunities to help build the Inland Rail, visit https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/opportunities/suppliers.