$143 million concrete commitment for Austrak’s regional manufacturing

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) signed a contract worth $143 million with Austrak for the manufacture of 1.3 million concrete sleepers for the Inland Rail project.

Austrak has previously provided close to 225,000 sleepers for the Narrabri to North Star section of Inland Rail currently under construction. Delivering this new 377,000 tonne order means sustained employment for 95 workers operating from Austrak’s regional manufacturing sites at Rockhampton in Queensland, and Wagga Wagga in New South Wales.

Visiting the Rockhampton facility in February 2022, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said Inland Rail is helping drive the growth of regional Australia, on and off the track.

‘Australia’s largest transport infrastructure project is creating big opportunities for our manufacturers, helping these businesses to grow and hire more Australians,’ the Deputy Prime Minister said.

‘More than 400 Australian businesses, including many in regional areas, have already shared in the billions of dollars we’re investing in Inland Rail’.

Approximately 695,000 standard gauge and 615,000 dual gauge sleepers will be constructed by Austrak for Inland Rail projects in New South Wales and Queensland.

With significant construction works to come on sections spanning north of Albury in New South Wales through to Inland Rail’s end point in Queensland, potential suppliers are encouraged to register their interest to service Inland Rail on ARTC’s ICN Gateway