The latest in rail projects around Australia

Contracts, EOIs, Tenders

NEW SOUTH WALES Mariyung fleet expansion

CIMIC Group company UGL, as a member of the RailConnect NSW joint venture, has been awarded a contract extension by Transport for NSW to increase the size of the Mariyung Fleet, and install an additional transformer at the maintenance facility at Kangy Angy on the NSW Central Coast.

The contract extension will generate revenue to UGL of more than $100 million.

RailConnect, which was selected to deliver the Mariyung Fleet in 2016, will now build and maintain an additional 56 passenger cars, increasing the total New Intercity Fleet to 610 carriages.

RailConnect has been delivering the fleet progressively since 2020. The joint venture commenced maintenance and asset management services to the fleet on delivery of the first train in December 2020 and will continue to provide maintenance and asset management services for a period of 15 years.

The New Intercity Fleet project will replace trains carrying customers from Sydney to the Central Coast, Newcastle, the Blue Mountains and South Coast. The fleet of double deck trains will offer long distance customers a more enjoyable travelling experience, providing comfortable seating, improved accessibility, and enhanced commuter amenities, including Wi-Fi.

Narrabri to Narromine contract

The Australian Rail Track Corporation has selected the ACACPB Joint Venture — a 50-50 joint venture formed by CIMIC Group’s CPB Contractors and ACCIONA Construction Australia under a Collaborative Framework Agreement — for the planning and development of civil works between Narrabri and Narromine.

CIMIC Group Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Juan Santamaria said the company was proud to contribute to the significant project – “creating an asset for generations to come, cost-effectively, safely and collaboratively”. CPB Contractors Managing Director Jason Spears said the business’ extensive regional experience would be used to ensure that opportunities for local suppliers are maximised and that jobs for local workers are created.

The civil works involved include about 306 kilometres of new track formation comprising bulk earthworks, drainage, bridge/ viaduct structures, materials and logistics management.

VICTORIA Port of Melbourne rail transformation

The Port of Melbourne is a step closer to implementing a critical rail solution to meet the needs of a growing port, having awarded the construction contract to move ahead with the Port Rail Transformation Project (PRTP).

The PRTP will enable more containers to be moved by rail more efficiently, by-passing roads in inner Melbourne. The project will increase rail terminal capacity and improve rail terminal operations.

Chief Executive Officer Brendan Bourke said port volumes continue to grow.

“We are responding to that growth by developing innovative and sustainable solutions to improve rail usage at the port, and also the added benefit of increased connectivity for a more efficient and effective port supply chain,” he said. “We have engaged Seymour White Constructions to be our key delivery partner on the rail project.”

The PRTP involves the development and construction of a new rail terminal interfacing with the Swanson Dock East International Container Terminal. The rail terminal will include two new sidings that can handle 600 linear meter long trains and will interface with the Patrick international container terminal.

Common user rail infrastructure will also be upgraded. A new road to facilitate an uninterrupted connection for movement of containers between the new rail terminal and the wider Swanson Dock precinct will also be constructed.

The project forms part of the Port of Melbourne’s 2050 Port Development Strategy, defining critical infrastructure programs needed to support the economic growth of Victoria and aiming for a completion date in mid-2023.

QUEENSLAND Brisbane-based JV for Inland Rail

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has taken another step towards construction of Inland Rail in Queensland with the signing of an agreement with a Brisbane-based joint venture.

The BHQ joint venture (BHQ JV), comprising Bielby Holdings, JF Hull Holdings, and QH&M Birt, has entered into a collaborative framework agreement with ARTC for the Northern Civil Works Program.

ARTC Inland Rail Interim Chief Executive Rebecca Pickering said the announcement was the culmination of months of work by ARTC, and will support hundreds of jobs in Queensland.

“Inland Rail is a fast freight backbone that will transform how goods are moved around Australia – it’s also a catalyst for regional employment and economic opportunity,” Pickering said.

“Queensland stands to benefit significantly from Inland Rail, with about two-thirds of the total project expenditure allocated for Queensland, and more than 11,800 jobs expected at the peak in 2023-24.

“We’ve already committed contracts to over 630 businesses in Queensland worth over $1.5 billion, and this agreement will bring even more stimulus to the state as it recovers from the economic impacts of the pandemic.”

Pickering said the appointment of a civil works proponent in parallel with environmental planning approvals will allow local businesses to hit the ground running when formal approval is given.

“Major construction will not start until statutory approvals have been received from the Queensland and Australian governments, but with the appointment of a preferred proponent now tells local businesses to get ‘Inland Rail ready’ and start talking with BHQ JV about what the future looks like,” she said.

“This is an extensive program of civil works with more than 160km of rail corridor within the Border to Gowrie section of Inland Rail, including more than 30 bridges spanning over 11km, more than 900 concrete culvert cells and the use of over 200 pieces of machinery.

“We will also need a large local workforce to support this part of the project with an estimated 950 workers needed at the peak of construction. BHQ will initially be working with ARTC to review reference design and develop construction plans and methodologies ahead of the development of a fully costed proposal for the first of the works packages next year.

“BHQ JV will now be seeking partnerships with businesses and skilled operators that can support project delivery such as transport operators, fencing, quarries, earthworks and electrical companies.”