KiwiRail chief executive joins board of ARA

KiwiRail chief executive officer Peter Reidy has joined the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) board to support the ARA’s increased focus on rail freight.

ARA chair Danny Broad said Reidy would bring significant experience to the organisation and reinforce the ARA’s connection with its New Zealand members.

“We are pleased to welcome Peter to the board to increase our representation among both our freight sector and New Zealand members,” he said.

“He will bring extensive experience, particularly as he leads New Zealand’s significant rail improvement plan to meet the country’s future transport needs.

“He also brings a wealth of industry knowledge from his work across the rail supply chain to support the ARA’s strategy and growth.”

Reidy said he looked forward to working with the ARA to support its advocacy on critical issues facing the industry.

“The ARA has always been a strong voice for rail in Australia and New Zealand and I am pleased to be joining the board as it reinvigorates its focus on New Zealand and rail freight,” he said.

“The current investment in rail presents significant opportunities for our economy and community and I look forward to working with the ARA and the wider industry to make the most of the benefits that this work will deliver.”

Reidy was appointed as CEO of KiwiRail in July 2022, after previously having held the role from 2014-2018. He was previously the chief executive of Fletcher Construction from 2018-2022 and also held a range of senior roles at Downer, including as chief operating officer of infrastructure services from 2012-2014.

KiwiRail recently re-joined the ARA as a member in recognition of the ARA’s increased presence in New Zealand.

Broad said Reidy would support the ARA’s activity in New Zealand following the relaxing of COVID restrictions and border closures after the last two years.

His appointment would also support the ARA’s increased focus on issues specific to the rail freight sector following the launch by the ARA of the Rail Freight Action Plan in 2021.

“They need to use the public transport system as

Meanwhile, ARTC Inland Rail Chief Executive Interim Rebecca Pickering took the opportunity to speak about how the Inland Rail network would

She said the company was looking forward to carrying on its strong momentum on delivering Inland Rail in 2023, with major construction work

Hot on the heels of Inland Rail opening the Narrabri to North Star (N2NS) section in New South Wales in December, and with the remaining Phase 1 works on N2NS due for completion early this year, she said the ball was well and truly moving

In addition to the NSW milestones being delivered, early works have begun on worksites at Glenrowan and Wangaratta in Victoria where major construction works are expected early in 2023.

“Inland Rail is being built to create a new freight future for Australia and construction is gaining strength, and we are really looking forward to continuing that in 2023,” Pickering said.

“The work we are doing is not only connecting Australia’s freight network but is also a real catalyst for communities and businesses to unlock benefits

“Those benefits are clear from the first phase of construction between Narromine and North Star, which has supported work for nearly 2000 people since November 2020, nearly 170 of whom are First Nations workers.

“Nearly 140 local businesses have shared in nearly $200 million of contracts supporting and servicing the build – helping to spread the benefits of Inland Rail across the local economy.

“We are also very proud that our Inland Rail Skills Academy has already delivered training to more than 2,000 people along the alignment, helping to develop the skills needed to build a better future for our communities.”

The next edition of AusRAIL will be held later this year, when the ARA hosts AusRAIL PLUS 2023 in Sydney, from November 13–16.