Inland Rail: ARTC announce Laing O’Rourke to deliver civil works to unite NSW, Queensland sections

‘Both sides of the border will benefit significantly from Inland Rail with more than 11,800 direct and indirect jobs in Queensland and 7500 in NSW expected at the peak of construction in 2023-24.’

The Australian Rail Track Corporation has announced the construction firm that will deliver civil works for a 85km stretch of the $15 billion Inland Rail project to unite New South Wales and Queensland.

Multinational construction firm Laing O’Rourke, as part of a consortium including FKG Group, will focus on the section between North Star, in NSW and Whetstone in Queensland.

The announcement comes after the ARTC confirmed a Brisbane-based joint venture made up of Bielby Holdings Pty Ltd, JF Hull Holdings Pty Ltd and QH&M Birt Pty Ltd would deliver civil works for more than 160km of rail line from Yelarbon at the NSW/Queensland border to Gowrie Junction near Toowoomba.

Construction work on the Inland Rail project between Narrabri and North Star in NSW. Photo: Joshua J Smith.

Inland Rail, one of Australia’s largest ever infrastructure projects, is made up of 1700km of freight line to connect Melbourne to Brisbane, and would allow the delivery of goods in about 24 hours.

The project was subject to intense speculation last month over the rail line’s route through the Darling Downs with Toowoomba powerbrokers urging against any deviations from the plan.

Those question marks were settled when Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce declared the route was “absolutely set” during question time in Parliament House earlier this month.

Construction of the Inland Rail freight project between Parkes and Narromine. Photo: ARTC Media.

ARTC Inland Rail interim chief executive Rebecca Pickering said the announcement was the culmination of months of work by ARTC and was a crucial part of the project as it delivered the ‘missing link’ between the two states where no previous rail line existed.

“Inland Rail is a fast freight backbone that will transform how goods are moved around Australia – it’s also a catalyst for regional employment and economic opportunity,” Mrs Pickering said.

“Both sides of the border will benefit significantly from Inland Rail with more than 11,800 direct and indirect jobs in Queensland and 7500 in NSW expected at the peak of construction in 2023-24.

“We’ve already committed 641 contracts to businesses in Queensland and 657 in NSW worth more than $1.95 billion across the two states, and this agreement will create even more economic stimulus as the country recovers from the impacts of the pandemic.”

A double-stack train on the Inland Rail line, one of Australia's largest infrastructure projects.

Laing O’Rourke managing director Cathal O’Rourke welcomed the announcement confirming the business, together with its partner FKG Group, was committed to delivering the project in partnership with local business and leaving a legacy in each of the local communities along the alignment.

“Our business has long and deep relationships in both Queensland and NSW stretching over 50 years where we have delivered a number of major projects and we are delighted to be granted the opportunity to play our part in this once-in-a-generation piece of infrastructure,” Mr O’Rourke said.