The Northern Territory government has released a request for quotation for the development of a concept design for a rail passenger terminal as part of the Katherine Logistics and Agribusiness Hub.
The concept design will cover the civil works for a new passenger terminal to the north of the current rail line. The design will include an access road, carpark, and rail platform. The design will establish the feasibility of the arrangement proposed, sufficient to define costs, achieve authority approval, and documented sufficient to tender for detailed design.
The new passenger terminal is part of the NT government’s aim to develop of Katherine as a horticulture and agricultural site and a transport hub for commodities from Queensland and Western Australia.
The Katherine Logistics and Agribusiness Hub will be located next to the current Katherine Railway Terminal, and with the projected increase in freight, the passenger terminal will need to be moved to a separate rail loop to the northern side of the rail line.
Currently, passenger rail services to Katherine are provided by The Ghan, which stop twice a week. The tender documents indicate that this may increase to three times a week in future. Passenger trains use the same rail loop as freight services on the line and passenger trains extend into the freight operations area, necessitating the need for a new terminal and loop solely for passenger trains.
As part of the design, roadworks, civil works, earthworks and upgrades for the rail loop, a platform, utility services, and landscaping unique to Katherine.
The tender closes on May 19.