By Jennifer Perry
New concrete sleepers will replace old wooden sleepers along the interstate rail network between Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane as part of the Rudd Governments $1.2 billion investment in the interstate rail network.The new concrete sleepers will create a faster, more reliable system and will reduce the likelihood of tracks buckling during hot weather.
Rocla Sleepers Mittagong and Grafton factories, and Austraks Wagga Wagga and Geelong factories have recently started producing the new dual and standard gauge concrete sleepers in partnership with the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).
The upgrade of the vital line between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane is perhaps the biggest rail project to be undertaken in Australia since this rail corridor was originally laid, said Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
ARTC chief executive officer, David Marchant said that while the production of the concrete sleepers is essential for projects on the North South corridor and other interstate freight rail projects, the work will also benefit the Mittagong, Grafton, Wagga Wagga and Geelong communities.
ARTC is proud to partner with…local [companies] as we hit the ground running with the upgrade of rail infrastructure in NSW.
Albanese said that the concrete sleepers being produced out of Austrak Wagga will predominantly be used on the upgrade of the Southern section of the North South corridor, and once this work is finished in March the factory will start producing sleepers for the new projects announced by the Prime Minister in December as will Rocla Sleepers Mittagong and Grafton factories.
Marchant said that the new sleepers produced at Austraks Geelong factory will be used to upgrade the Victorian standard gauge rail network as part of a lease agreement signed during 2008.
The original Interstate Infrastructure Lease between ARTC and the Victorian Government for the standard gauge rail network was due to expire in 2014. The new agreement will extend the lease by 45 years to 2059, Marchant said.
The length of this lease will allow sufficient time for ARTC to plan and implement practical, long term infrastructure improvements to the rail network in Victoria.
Specifically, the agreement will involve converting the North East broad gauge line between Seymour and Albury to standard gauge and the partial conversion of the Albion to Jacana line to dual gauge.
David Priddle, Austraks general manager said that the Governments Nation Building and Jobs Plan is a boost to their operations, allowing Austrak to fully utilise their Geelong and Wagga Wagga factories.
The Governments announcement of further projects will also mean a boost to employment…not only through our operations, but also the trickle down affect to many of our suppliers. This sort of knock-on employment is vital in regional areas.
Ric Lewtas, manager of Rocla Sleepers said that prior to the Governments Nation Building Injection, there was the real possibility that work would dry up in their Grafton factory. As of this month, its all systems go.
Rocla Sleepers Mittagong and Grafton factories will continue to operate at full capacity until November, as will Austraks Wagga Wagga and Geelong factories.
