Infrastructure minister Warren Truss has announced the company which will provide environmental and engineering consultancy on the first stages of the Inland Rail project.
Australian-based engineering firm GHD was awarded the contract by Truss, who said the appointment is a clear demonstration of “real progress” on the Brisbane-to-Melbourne rail link.
“These first tenders will provide vital input to planning of some of the key segments of the Parkes to Narromine and Narrabri to North Star sections of the Inland Rail project,” Truss said.
“Inland Rail will transform freight movements through south east Queensland, across regional New South Wales and rural Victoria, linking with the existing national network to move produce around the nation more efficiently.
“With Australia’s freight task set to treble along the eastern seaboard, Inland Rail is a crucial project for meeting the demand for a road-competitive freight rail service and take 190,000 trucks off the road each year.”
Truss, who is also the deputy prime minister and leader of the Nationals, said applications for provision of community engagement services for the Inland Rail in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland were currently under review.
“We’re getting on with the job of delivering world-class infrastructure that secures Australia’s transport needs to drive national productivity for generations to come,” he said.