Businesses meet with Inland Rail proponents on QLD PPP section

Local and indigenous business representatives heard from the Australian Rail Track Corporation and shortlisted consortia Capstone, G2Konnect and Regionerate Rail who are bidding to build the section of Inland Rail from outside Toowoomba at Gowrie to Kagaru near Beaudesert section as part of a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

ARTC Inland Rail Director of Planning, Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Rebecca Pickering said more than 200 people attended the session with many Queensland businesses already benefiting from the Inland Rail project.

“Queensland will be the largest beneficiary of Inland Rail with 11,800 jobs created from construction and a $7.8 billion boost in Queensland Gross State Product,” Mrs Pickering said.

“Three world-class consortia have been shortlisted to bid on the construction of the PPP section, and we expect opportunities for QLD businesses will dramatically increase when the successful proponent is announced later in the year,” she said.

“The successful contractor will need the support of local businesses in various ways when construction starts.

“The information session today is the first opportunity for the local business community to hear first-hand from the shortlisted companies about their requirements for the project and what kinds of work will be coming down the pipeline.

Mrs Pickering said the Inland Rail project team is committed to using local suppliers and labour where possible.

“The PPP section has already generated jobs associated with the geotechnical investigations, cultural heritage surveys and environmental impact assessments and there are many more opportunities to come for local businesses,” she said.

“It’s not just construction work available, there are also opportunities with Inland Rail in administration, technical jobs and support services such as transportation drivers, electricians, traffic control, steel fixing, environmental and rehabilitation work, signage, security and hospitality and accommodation providers too.

The project also stimulates Australian manufacturing jobs through supply of materials for this massive undertaking, such as jobs at quarries, concrete sleeper factories, and other major suppliers,” she said.

ARTC will name its preferred consortia this year with the final contract to be signed in 2022 with the consortium that delivers the best proposal.

“This will come at an important time as our national economy continues to rebuild, create jobs and opportunities, especially here in Queensland,” she said.

ENDS

Media contact: Alexandria Bernard 0438 656 755

Background

• Capstone comprises CPB Contractors, Ghella, UGL, SK Engineering and Construction, DIF, Pacific Partnerships
• G2Konnect comprises Acciona, Ferrovial, Cintra, Macquarie
• Regionerate Rail comprises Clough, GS Engineering and Construction, Webuild (formerly Salini Impregilo), Lend Lease Services, Plenary Group

The PPP will deliver the 128 kilometres from Gowrie to Kagaru and will include construction of three tunnels totalling 8.5kms in length and around 79 viaducts and bridges totalling approximately 16km in length.

The PPP process will draw on the private sector’s experience and innovation to deliver the world-class engineering solution required to traverse the Great Dividing Range.

Opportunities relating to the PPP Inland Rail construction