Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP)

The aim of the Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) is to propose improvements to the interface between supply chains and Inland Rail, with a view to improving supply chain and community resilience.

The Australian Government has so far announced 28 proposals that are being developed through the PEP program.

PEP 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.
• Support regional economic growth by funding the development, re-positioning or re-organising of local infrastructure to increase the competitiveness of regional economies and supply chains.
• Deliver cost-effective improvements to the national rail freight network through strategic investment, based on independent technical advice and in consultation with the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and state track managers.
• Support partnerships (between Commonwealth and state governments with local government and industry), including shared funding responsibilities, appropriate risk allocation and improved data sharing.
• Minimise downtime on regional rail lines.
• Improve safety for road users through increased mode shift from road and rail and through strategic investment in the road interfaces with rail.
• Support National Freight and Supply Chain Priorities, enabling productivity improvements to Inland Rail by developing efficient and industry-relevant interfaces with priority regional rail networks.

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.