Country Lines Improvement Program (CLIP)

The aim of the Country Lines Improvement Program (CLIP) is to propose improvements to country lines that intersect with Inland Rail, with a view to potentially accommodating longer, heavier and faster trains.

The Australian Government has so far announced 10 proposals that are being developed through the CLIP program.

CLIP project proposals were assessed against their contribution to meeting the following principles:

• Increase Inland Rail throughput, helping to maximise the benefits realised through the project, drive modal shift from road to rail and safeguard the Commonwealth’s substantial equity investment.
• Deliver cost-effective improvements to freight movements through strategic investment, based on independent technical advice and in consultation with state governments and track managers.
• Support regional economic growth by funding the development of local infrastructure that increases the competitiveness of regional economies and supply chains.
• Support partnerships between Commonwealth and state governments with local government and industry, and include as appropriate shared funding responsibilities, appropriate risk allocation and improved data sharing.
• Improve safety for road users through increased use of rail to move freight.
• Support National Freight and Supply Chain Priorities, enabling productivity improvements of Inland Rail-connected country rail services through standardised train fleets, harmonisation of below-rail maintenance initiatives, and the use of longer and heavier trains that take advantage of economies of scale opportunities.

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.