Momentum for Australia
Inland Rail is keeping Australia moving in more ways than one.
Construction of Inland Rail is already benefiting Australia – especially in our regional communities, where jobs and businesses are getting a boost from new contracts and increasing numbers of customers through their doors.
Many locals can see the potential of Inland Rail to help their communities flourish.
It will bring work and business opportunities to small towns and connect manufacturers and producers like never before.
Including Australian-owned family businesses like Martinus.
CEO and Founder, Martinus
Martinus is a rail contractor helping construct and maintain Australia’s freight and passenger networks.
And in late 2021, Martinus was appointed as preferred contractor to deliver ballast, sleepers and track for approximately 570 km of Inland Rail in New South Wales and Queensland – a momentous opportunity for a business that started small.
“I started Martinus on my own 16 years ago – just me and a ute – and it’s grown into a successful business. It’s a huge growth story,” said Treaven.
“I see the partnership with Inland Rail really humbling. It means we can invest in growing our team, bringing on new team members from the regions where the railway is getting built.”
Inland Rail is a catalyst for regional employment and economic opportunities – and agreements like Martinus’ will create economic stimulus.
“Inland Rail is a game changer for regional Australia, and for businesses like ours. Our work will require a workforce of 600 at the peak,” said Treaven.
Treaven says Martinus delivers their regional projects with skills from the regions and likes to upskill their team wherever possible.
“Upskilling young people is at the heart of what we do. This program gives us an opportunity to put on more apprentices and trainees. They go all the way through their program and come out with a trade at the end.”
The future looks bright for young people in Australia with important infrastructure projects like Inland Rail.
“It's a passion of mine to train up the next generation and there’s lots of opportunities for young people because of Inland Rail.”
Not only will Inland Rail help transform our regions, it will better connect Australian producers and businesses to their markets – providing a more efficient link to and from capital cities and major ports to help our businesses be more competitive on the global stage.
Local producers like Sam Coulton from Goondiwindi Cotton.
Owner, Goondiwindi Cotton
Sam is always looking to the future. That’s why the farmer and businessman sees the potential Inland Rail can bring to small farming towns.
“It’s one line going from Melbourne to Brisbane, which is perfect. All the contractors in Goondiwindi are going to do well out of it. It’ll be a great help to our community and businesses across the region.”
Sam’s family has been farming in the Goondiwindi area since 1924 and the fifth generation of Coultons is still working their lands today.
Sam has also created a successful cotton garment brand, Goondiwindi Cotton, which is 100% Australian owned and employs about 75 full-time staff from the area. Their product is designed in Goondiwindi and sold in hundreds of stores nationally. He's even started pushing the brand into the USA market online.
“Our garment business has grown from producing around 5,000 pieces a year to approximately 80,000 a year.”
Sam believes Australia’s cotton is amongst the best in the world. Its length, strength and fineness is sought after globally.
“Cotton is used in not just garments. It’s used in hospitals for swabs and bandages. For sheets, pillowcases and blankets. If you want good product, you need good cotton."
An innovative businessman and producer, Sam sees the value of Inland Rail to help move Australia forward and bring more people and business back to the regions. He believes Inland Rail is one of the most significant developments Australia’s seen since the Snowy Mountain Project.
“You watch, new things will come from Inland Rail. New businesses. New people will come into the area. Younger people. It really is a very good thing for Australia.”
Sam Coulton
Generating momentum for fifth generation farmers like Sandy Munro from Moree, Inland Rail brings a confidence boost for family-owned businesses to continue investing in local agriculture.
Beef and Grain Farmer, Moree
Since 1873, the Munros of Weebollabolla have been running world-famous beef cattle. Today they also farm grain. This year Sandy saw the farm’s biggest harvest season in recent years.
With all that grain cut and processed, the Munros want to get it sold as quickly as possible. Inland Rail will help get Sandy’s grain to market faster. For Sandy, that’s good news for the future of agriculture in Australia.
The Munros have seen the region change a lot over time, and when Sandy first heard Inland Rail was coming, he was excited at the opportunities he believes it will bring for his town.
“With a cheaper rate freight to port, Inland Rail opens up a whole gamut of opportunities for Moree. The longer-term benefits in value adding onshore to our commodities before export, and boosting local jobs are real pluses for the community,” Sandy said.
“With the passage of time, we’ll wonder why we didn’t do it years ago.”
For towns like Moree, Inland Rail isn’t just a freight rail line. A special activation precinct is also being built. Capitalising on access to Inland Rail, the precinct will become agribusiness, logistics and food processing hub.
He says the reaction to Inland Rail has been good locally.
“Everyone feels a buzz in town. I couldn’t be happier that we’re finally seeing the results of many years of talk, and I think it’s a massive positive for this district and Australia. It’s all about our children’s children, really.”
As Inland Rail takes shape, it's transforming the way goods are transported around our country.
And along the way, it will continue to give Australian communities and businesses the momentum we need for tomorrow.
This is our opportunity. This is our Inland Rail.
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