The Australian Rail Track Corporation has announced a joint venture to undertake the southern civil works along the Narromine to Narrabri section of Inland Rail, ahead of the green light.
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The ARTC announced the joint venture between ACCIONA and CPB contractors (ACACPB), who will deliver the Inland Rail southern civil works program, valued at more than $1.2 billion.
These companies will now seek partnerships with businesses and skilled operators that can support delivery of the 306 kilometre greenfield section between Narromine and Narrabri.
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ARTC Inland Rail Interim Chief Executive Rebecca Pickering said the announcement was the culmination of months of work by ARTC and will support enormous economic opportunity in NSW.
"Inland Rail, from construction through to its delivery, is a nation building project. It is the catalyst for thousands of regional jobs and will ultimately change the way freight is moved around the country," she said.
"We will need a large local workforce to support this part of the project with an estimated 7500 workers needed in NSW at the peak of construction in 2023-24.
Ms Pickering said the ACACPB joint venue would be working with the ARTC to review reference design and develop construction plans and methodologies, ahead of the development of a fully costed proposal for the first of the works packages next year.
"This appointment, at this time, also allows us to maximise local jobs and procurement," she said.
CPB Contractors, a member of the CIMIC Group, Managing Director Jason Spears said they would use their extensive regional experience to ensure opportunities for local suppliers were maximised, and jobs for local workers were created.
"We are delivering major rail projects across Australia and will work closely with the ARTC to ensure that these works are delivered to schedule," he said.
Bede Noonan, ACCIONA's CEO in Australia and New Zealand said they were proud to be involved in the landmark project, that would not only deliver a fast and reliable freight rail service between Melbourne and Brisbane, but also provide significant jobs and economic opportunities across southern NSW.
"We look forward to working with ARTC and continuing our strong partnership with CPB Contractors as we deliver critical public infrastructure projects across Australia," he said.
Subject to planning and environmental approvals, ARTC anticipate that construction activities on this works package will commence late 2022, worth approximately $1.2 billion.
Mrs Pickering said the appointment of a civil works proponent in parallel with environmental planning approvals would allow local businesses to hit the ground running when formal approval is given.
"Major construction will not start until statutory approvals have been received from the NSW and Australian governments, but the appointment of a preferred proponent now tells local businesses to get 'Inland Rail ready' and start talking with ACACPB JV about what the future looks like," she said.
The civil works undertaken in this program will include 306 kilometres of new track, comprising of bulk earthworks, drainage, bridge and viaduct structures, as well as materials and logistics management.
ARTC Inland Rail Director of pre-contracts Rob Storey said the ARTC wanted to be in a place to begin works straight away, once a green light was given to proceed with the project.
"In September last year, we announced a change to our procurement process to make it more collaborative, projects smaller and less complex and provide a broader section of the industry with more opportunity to participate on Inland Rail," he said.
"This was done in line with the Australian government's commitment to fast-track investment in critical infrastructure projects and is in response to industry feedback we had received.
"We are working with ACACPB JV to develop works packages as part of this approach, which will enable more suppliers and contractors to get Inland Rail ready."
"This is what industry has told us they want, and it has driven our conversations with them. It will maximise opportunities to participate and has de-risked procurement processes, while we engage with government on the environmental approvals and detailed design for this project," he said.
For information on Inland Rail tenders and market opportunities visit inlandrail.artc.com.au/opportunities/suppliers.