Interface Improvement Program
The Australian Government committed $44 million to the Inland Rail Interface Improvement Program (II Program) to assist in the development of project ideas that could boost the benefits that flow from Inland Rail.
The identification of prioritised proposals and expression of interest rounds in 2019 and 2020 have resulted in the announcement of 38 project proposals progressing under the II program.
The II Program supports the development of ideas for more productive rail-based supply chains and improvements to capacity on key country rail lines that intersect with Inland Rail.
The II Program has two streams:
- A Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) to assess the costs and benefits of proposed improvements to the interface between supply chains and Inland Rail.
- A Country Lines Improvement Program (CLIP) to assess the costs and benefits of proposed improvements to country lines that intersect with Inland Rail, with a view to potentially accommodating longer, heavier and faster trains.
Building on the success of the II Program, the Australian Government allocated $150 million in the 2022-23 Budget to fund the delivery of priority infrastructure projects through the Infrastructure Investment Program. This funding is restricted to projects that have completed a Strategic Business Case through the Inland Rail Interface Improvement program. Read more on funding the eligibility.
Project proposals
- View the list of successful project proposals from the first expressions of interest round.
- View the list of successful project proposals from the second expressions of interest round.
The aim of the program
The aim of the II Program is to support the development of ideas for increasing the amount of freight on Inland Rail. This can be achieved by reducing transport and handling costs and by improving services either through improving connections between local industries and the rail network or by increasing the productivity of trains.
Reducing freight transport and handling costs will enable local industries to be more competitive in existing and future markets, and will encourage businesses to invest in new production and manufacturing enterprises in the regions along the Inland Rail corridor.
By making local industries more competitive, and shifting freight from road to rail for at least part of the journey, the community will benefit through reduced road related social costs such as effects on the environment and safety.
The community will also benefit from the flow on effects of more sustainable and resilient industries that will support local businesses and provide employment.