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Four Inland Rail contracts awarded

Around $30 million worth of feasibility and detailed design contracts have been awarded in four sections of the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project across New South Wales and Victoria.

Lycopodium Infrastructure has secured the $500,000 Stockinbingal to Parkes (NSW) contract; WSP Australia and Mott MacDonald have won the $10 million Parkes to Narromine (NSW) tender and the $13 million Narrabri to North Star (NSW) contract; and Kellogg Brown & Root will undertake the $6 Tottenham to Illabo (VIC) contract.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the four contracts will support the approvals process, environmental investigations and engineering design, progressing the project toward construction.

“For the Parkes to Narromine and Narrabri to North Star projects, these contracts will see the detailed design finalised, progressing the project to the construction stage. For the Tottenham to Illabo and Stockinbingal to Parkes sections, these contracts formally begin the feasibility design process, which will lead to further detailed design work.

“Further contracts for Inland Rail in New South Wales and Queensland will be awarded over the coming months,” he said.

Two contracts were awarded for feasibility design work, which examines issues such as bridge verse culvert or overbridge verse underbridge, to arrive at a preferred solution. This design also forms the basis for Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) documentation and consultation process.

The remaining two contracts were for detailed design, which assesses the preferred solution from feasibility design, together with any directives as a result of the EIS consultation process. This takes the project from the concept stage to a point where a builder can commence construction.

Mr Chester said Inland Rail would support further development, investment and innovation in the regions, and stimulate new opportunities for regional businesses.

“This critical infrastructure will be a launch pad to develop intermodal hubs and attract new manufacturing and production business to regional communities,” he said.

“We are already seeing private investors making enquiries, and the Australian Government will work closely with local partners and the community to make the most of the opportunity this nationally significant project has created.”

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