Infrastructure Australia rail investment priorities in focus

Infrastructure Australia rail investment priorities sit at the centre of the latest Infrastructure Priority List. The agency says the list provides “independent, evidence-based advice” to the Australian Government on nationally significant projects for possible investment over the next decade.

Also, its remit spans transport, water, energy, communications and social infrastructure. Rail features strongly in the updated list. That direction was welcomed by the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and the Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ).

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Meanwhile, projects are split into three bands. These are investment-ready proposals, a 2-4 year pipeline, and a 5-10 year pipeline. Investment-ready proposals are priorities for planning or delivery investment in the next year. Several rail schemes fall into that category.

Infrastructure Australia rail investment priorities in the ready pipeline

Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop East

One of the investment-ready entries is Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East. It is the first stage of the broader SRL system. The project includes 26 kilometres of twin tunnels. It also includes six new underground stations. These are at Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood and Box Hill. A new stabling facility at Heatherton is part of the project as well. The project is intended to improve connectivity across Melbourne’s middle and outer suburbs.

In addition, Infrastructure Australia recommends that the government prioritise this proposal for additional delivery investment. Also, the Australian Government has already committed $2.2 billion towards land acquisition, geotechnical and development works, and utility upgrades across the project area.

Northern Territory freight rail and logistics capacity improvements

Separately, the Northern Territory freight rail and logistics capacity improvements proposal is also in the investment-ready group. It would deliver targeted upgrades across the Northern Territory’s freight rail and logistics network. These works include regional logistics hubs along the Darwin-Tarcoola rail line. The aim is to increase capacity. The aim is also to improve connectivity. It would support efficient movement of goods across the Northern Territory and to national and international markets.

“By improving rail efficiency and intermodal capacity along this corridor, the proposal would support industry development within the mining, agricultural, energy and gas sectors,” Infrastructure Australia said.

At the same time, the organisation said the government should consider investing in further planning for the proposal. That would include completion of a Final Business Case. It would cover prioritised freight rail and logistics hubs improvements on the Darwin-Tarcoola rail line. Also, the Australian Government has committed $440 million in planned equity to develop regional logistics hubs along that corridor. It forms part of the National Network for Interoperability.

High-speed rail Newcastle to Sydney and The Wave

High Speed Rail – Newcastle to Sydney

Meanwhile, High Speed Rail – Newcastle to Sydney also appears on the list. The proposal aims to address connectivity challenges, rapid population growth and housing pressures through one of Australia’s busiest regional corridors. It is the first stage of the national high-speed rail network. It would connect Newcastle to Western Sydney International Airport via the Central Coast.

In addition, Infrastructure Australia said the Australian Government should consider prioritising the proposal for further planning investment. That would support analysis of housing objectives. It would also investigate funding strategies. It would improve certainty on costs and benefit realisation.

The Wave

At the same time, another investment-ready proposal is The Wave, the Sunshine Coast mass transit scheme. It includes delivery of a new passenger rail line between Beerwah and Birtinya. It also includes a proposed interconnecting bus rapid transit service to the Sunshine Coast Airport.

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