AUSTRALIA: A stable pipeline of rail infrastructure projects is critical to Australia’s future economic growth and supporting growing cities and regions, Australasian Railway Association CEO Caroline Wilkie said after the incumbent Labor party led by Anthony Albanese won the May 3 election.
‘With rail contributing more than A$30bn to the national economy each year and supporting Australia’s net zero goals, sustained investment in rail is vital to our long-term economic, environmental and social prosperity’, said Wilkie.
’Proposed projects such as the Sydney to Newcastle high speed rail, the Melbourne airport rail link, as well as the critical development of Inland Rail are nation-shaping infrastructure investments that will transform how Australians live, work and travel.
‘We have recently seen the incredible benefits that rail delivers through success stories like the Sydney Metro and light rail networks in Canberra and the Gold Coast that have driven urban growth and investment, increased housing supply, and created more connected, sustainable and resilient communities.’
ARA wants to see progress with reform initiatives under the National Rail Action Plan, particularly standards harmonisation and interoperability to improve efficiency and productivity.
Wilkie said there is an opportunity ‘to continue growing Australia’s rail manufacturing capability to secure local jobs and create a more competitive rail industry internationally’.
There is also an ‘urgent need’ for continued investment and strengthening of policies to increase rail freight volumes, she added.
