Round one project proposals
On 13 April 2020, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure announced the 16 successful proposals under the first round of expressions of interest for the Interface Improvement Program.
Through the identification of prioritised proposals and an initial 2019 expression of interest round 20 project ideas were assessed as eligible under the Program.
The proponents for each eligible proposal have been allocated specialist advisors from an Ernst and Young Australia-led consortium to further develop their ideas into robust feasibility studies and strategic business cases.
The Program does guarantee funding for projects to progress to a design and construction phase. By providing business case support, the Program helps local organisations, governments and communities make a case for further investment.
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.
Bookmark these pages or subscribe for updates.
Proposals submitted through the first round of the Expression of Interest process
The following project proposals were submitted through the first round of expressions of interest. They have met the information requirements in the gateway process and delivered on the project principles for the productivity enhancement and country lines improvement programs.
The list below is in alphabetical order according to the proponent.
A downloadable map of project proposals is also available:
Project proposals map (PDF, 9.83 MB)
| Proponent | Location | Proposal and potential benefits | Program | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Border Regional Organisation of Councils | NSW/QLD border | A proposal to review options to improve access to Inland Rail in the Goondiwindi Region, including Northern NSW, including a review of Bruxner Way, the Boggabilla siding, the existing narrow-gauge rail west of the proposed alignment and potential choke points on the major roads. The proposal has the potential to improve connectivity to Inland Rail, increase supply chain efficiency and improve road safety. | Productivity Enhancement Program | Pre-feasibility study completed |
| Goondiwindi Regional Council | Kurumbul to Thallon, QLD | A proposal to investigate options for the development of a Goondiwindi to Inland Rail corridor connection by upgrading the current narrow gauge South Western rail line and providing a connection to Inland Rail at Kurumbul. The proposal indicated it has the potential to increase supply chain efficiency and allow better connectivity and interoperability between the South Western line and Inland Rail. | Country Lines Improvement Program | Underway |
| Gunnedah Shire Council | Gunnedah, NSW | A proposal to investigate the development of the Gunnedah Intermodal Freight Terminal, including the construction of a 400m rail siding. The proposal indicated that it has the potential to provide an efficient point of transfer for producers in Northern NSW, position Gunnedah as a key anchor point for Inland Rail and support a more resilient economic base in the region. | Productivity Enhancement Program | Strategic business case completed |
| Interlink SQ and Seaway | Toowoomba, QLD | A proposal to investigate the establishment of the South West Intermodal Project, which includes a primary regional aggregation and distribution hub in Toowoomba and smaller regional feeder hubs. The proposal indicated it has the potential to provide more efficient and lower cost freight movements through a “hub and spoke” logistics network and an efficient interface between the regional rail network and Inland Rail. | Productivity Enhancement Program | Strategic business case completed |
| Leeton Shire and Griffith City Councils | Western Riverina, NSW | A proposal to investigate upgrading the WRConnect intermodal facility at Wumbulgal, on the border of Leeton and Griffith Councils, to provide additional/expanded intermodal freight capacity for the Western Riverina region, and remove significant heavy vehicle and train shunting hazards out of the Griffith CBD. The proposal indicated that it has the potential to enhance efficiency of freight movement, improve the supply chain and Inland Rail interface, and generate investor confidence, thereby creating further regional economic growth in a region that produces the largest volume and diversity of agricultural product in NSW. | Productivity Enhancement Program | Strategic business case completed |
| Moree Plains Shire Council | Moree, NSW | A proposal to support the development of the Moree Intermodal Park through investigating the construction of road infrastructure to the west and east of the Moree Intermodal Overpass. The proposal indicated that it has the potential to support a direct interface connection to Inland Rail, increase freight efficiency and Inland Rail throughput and improve road user safety. | Productivity Enhancement Program | Pre-feasibility study completed |
| Moree Plains and Gwydir Shire Councils | Croppa Creek, NSW | A proposal to investigate interface improvements, including upgrading the Buckie and County Boundary roads, to improve access to the proposed rail spur in Croppa Creek that will connect with Inland Rail. The proposal indicated that it has the potential to provide safe and efficient road freight access, increase Inland Rail throughput and enhance the region’s connectivity to Inland Rail. | Productivity Enhancement Program | Strategic business case completed |
| SCT Logistics | Wodonga, VIC | A proposal to investigate the upgrade and construction of new intermodal capabilities, open access freight infrastructure and a cold storage facility at the Wodonga Intermodal park, within the LOGIC transport site. The proposal indicated that it has the potential to maximise linkages between freight supply chains and Inland Rail, increase Inland Rail throughput and support regional economic growth. | Productivity Enhancement Program | Underway |
| SCT Logistics | Parkes, NSW | A proposal to investigate the upgrade and construction of new intermodal capabilities, open access freight infrastructure and a cold storage facility in Parkes. The proposal indicated that it has the potential to improve linkages between freight supply chains and Inland Rail, increase Inland Rail throughput and support industry regional economic growth. | Productivity Enhancement Program | Underway |
| Strathbogie Shire Council | Mangalore, VIC | A proposal to investigate the establishment of an intermodal freight terminal adjacent to the Mangalore airport to facilitate the transfer of freight between road, rail and air freight systems. The proposal indicated that it has the potential to enhance connectivity to Inland Rail, improve freight efficiency to and from Victoria and support supply chains in Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley region. | Productivity Enhancement Program | Pre-feasibility study completed |
| Transport for NSW | Stockinbingal to Griffith, NSW | A proposal to investigate an increase in the axle load limit on the existing 185km Stockinbingal-Griffith rail line in the Riverina region. The proposal indicated that it has the potential to contribute to the interoperability of the rail network throughout regional New South Wales by providing improved connectivity between regional hubs such as Griffith and Temora and Inland Rail. | Country Lines Improvement Program | Strategic business case completed |
| Transport for NSW | Narromine to Dubbo, NSW | A proposal to investigate increasing the axle load limit on the existing 38km Narromine-Dubbo rail line in the Orana region. The proposal indicated that it has the potential to contribute to the interoperability of the rail network throughout regional New South Wales by providing improved connectivity between regional hubs, including Dubbo, Narromine, Nyngan and Cobar and Inland Rail. | Country Lines Improvement Program | Strategic business case completed |
| Toowoomba Regional Council | Toowoomba, QLD | A proposal to investigate the viability of constructing a track maintenance provisioning centre for Inland Rail operations at a strategic location within the Toowoomba region. The proposal indicated that it has the potential to leverage existing facilities to create supply chain efficiencies and maximise economic benefits for rural townships. | Productivity Enhancement Program | Pre-feasibility study completed |
| Toowoomba Regional Council and Darling Downs & South West Queensland Council of Mayors | Toowoomba, QLD | A proposal to investigate additional rail connections to the existing South Western Rail System at Yelarbon and Southbrook. The proposal indicated that it has the potential to improve rail connections to Inland Rail to accommodate heavy agricultural, mining and bulk commodity loads from the west, and to minimise the need for both road and rail freight through the city of Toowoomba. | Country Lines Improvement Program | Pre-feasibility study completed |
| Toowoomba Regional Council and Darling Downs & South West Queensland Council of Mayors | Toowoomba, QLD | A proposal to investigate an upgrade to the existing West Moreton Rail System and the South Western Rail System to accommodate the same loads and train lengths as Inland Rail. The proposal indicated that it has the potential to reduce freight costs, ensure efficient interoperability with Inland Rail and support an increased mode shift from road to rail. | Country Lines Improvement Program | Pre-feasibility study completed |
| Wagga Wagga City Council | Wagga Wagga, NSW | A proposal to investigate enhancements to the Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RiFL) Hub, within the Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct (SAP). The proposal indicated that the enhancements, including upgrades and additional infrastructure, have the potential to improve the capability and capacity of the RiFL Hub, facilitate supply chain efficiency and increase Inland Rail throughput. | Productivity Enhancement Program | Strategic business case completed |
| Gilgandra and Coonamble Shire Councils | Gilgandra to Coonamble, NSW | A proposal to investigate an upgrade to the Gilgandra-Coonamble line to allow for heavier, faster trains and develop a connection to the Inland Rail at Curban. The proposal indicated that it has the potential to improve the interoperability and connectivity of the Country Regional Network with Inland Rail, support supply chain efficiencies and support local operators in getting produce to market. | Country Lines Improvement Program | Strategic business case completed |
| Lockyer Valley Council | Lockyer Valley, QLD | A proposal to investigate the viability of a Lockyer Valley Inland Rail connection, which will leverage existing and planned local output and infrastructure. The proposals indicated that a viable connection has the potential to take advantage of increased productivity and connect Lockyer Valley producers and businesses to southern markets. It would also support economic growth for the region. | Productivity Enhancement Program | Strategic Business case completed |
| Narrabri Shire Council | Narrabri, NSW | A proposal to investigate connections from the Northern NSW Inland Port to Inland Rail, including an upgrade to 6km of the Walgett Branch Line. The proposal indicated that it has the potential to support supply chain efficiencies, increase connectivity with Inland Rail and provide safety and amenity benefits for the Narrabri township. | Productivity Enhancement Program | Strategic Business case completed |
| Warrumbungle Shire Council | Baradine, NSW | A proposal to investigate the partial re-instatement of the Gwabegar line to enable a 10km connection between Baradine silos to Inland rail. The proposal indicated that it has the potential to support a more efficient, cost effective distribution network and improve access to new markets. It also proposes increased throughput at the silo and support for costs savings by encouraging modal shift from road to rail. | Country Lines Improvement Program | Strategic business case completed |