The Australian Rail Track Corporation has appointed a director to help steer a key section of the massive Inland Rail project through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
The ARTC on April 3 named Tony Lubofsky as Inland Rail PPP Director.
“This is a critical role for putting in place systems, structures and procurement enabling ARTC to partner with the private sector in delivering the 126km, technically challenging section between Gowrie and Kagaru, which requires tunnelling through the Toowoomba, Teviot and Little Liverpool ranges,” Inland Rail chief executive Peter Winder said.
Lubofsky has worked in the past on five successful PPPs, in the health and education sectors, and was previously Public Transport Victoria’s project director for its Metropolitan Train and Tram Refranchising Project.
“We welcome the depth of PPP knowledge and commercial acumen that Toney brings to the table, along with his strong track record in driving complex programmes of work,” Winder added.
Lubofsky, who has moved into the ARTC’s Brisbane office, said he was relishing the task ahead.
“I am really looking forward to building on the significant work that has been done to date in planning for a PPP, and over time seeing what the market has to offer to this game-changing infrastructure project,” he said.
Winder said the PPP option chosen for the three sections of Inland Rail between Gowrie and Kagaru would help deliver the best value for money.
“The three projects will be combined for construction to be delivered through the PPP,” Winder detailed. “The PPP involves going out to market to find a private partner who will work with the ARTC to deliver that section.
“This arrangement provides effective risk management and enables us to harness innovative design solutions, opportunities for more efficient construction methodologies, and an innovative financing and funding solution.”
The ARTC expects to announce a PPP preferred bidder by the end of 2019.