Martinus Rail secures contract for Inland Rail works in NSW and VIC

The Inland Rail development between Beveridge in Victoria and Parkes in New South Wales is on track to be completed in 2027 and the Australian Government is committed to keeping works going. 

Martinus Rail – an Australian-owned company – has been awarded a $403.5 million contract to design and deliver enhancements to the 183-kilometre rail line between Albury to Illabo as well as the 170-kilometre section between Stockinbingal to Parkes. 

“This is an incredibly exciting time for the business and our people. A huge congrats to the team on winning this project, the Martinus team have created some fantastic design solutions which will leave long term benefits for these regional communities. 

“This key infrastructure project will enable us to further invest in our people and their futures. Long term, it secures our vision of providing abundant opportunities for training and upskilling to address the skill-shortage across the industry and future-proof our business. 

“As an Australian owned and operated business, we want to thank Inland Rail for entrusting us to undertake these works with the support from the local community. We look forward to celebrating many project milestones together over the next few years,” Martinus Rail COO Ryan Baden said. 

The projects will be delivered in two major packages. Site works between Stockinbingal to Parkes will commence in August 2023 and construction on the Albury to Illabo section will begin next year. Construction can proceed once final approvals have been granted. 

The Principal Contractor, Martinus Rail, is now undertaking detailed design and planning works for both packages. The rail enhancement projects will include the delivery of track upgrades, construction of new bridges and signalling upgrades along the rail corridor. 

Station precincts in Albury, Wagga Wagga and Forbes will also be enhanced and an additional crossing loop is going to be built at Daroobalgie. 

“The Australian Government is committed to getting the delivery of Inland Rail back on track. 

“With this contract we are living up to our commitment to prioritise the completion of Inland Rail south of Parkes by 2027,” Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

Once works are completed, the rail line will be able to accommodate double-stacked freight trains which will help reduce truck volumes in over 20 regional towns as well as ease congestion on some of the nation’s busiest highways. 

In addition, the projects are expected to bring substantial benefits to local communities with approximately $200 million to be spent on local businesses along with the employment of up to 450 local workers at peak construction. 

“Progressing the Inland Rail stages south of Parkes will unlock benefits of Inland Rail sooner, creating local jobs and boosting regional communities,” Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. 

Martinus Rail has formed a strategic partnership with leading Australian-owned businesses including Aurecon, BG&E, Arenco, Omada, and Horizon United – recognising the significance of a robust Australian railway industry. These local companies will all play a critical role in the delivery of the Inland Rail enhancement projects. 

Martinus Rail will continue investing in apprentices, trainees or paid cadet positions through this project as well as future developments, showing its commitment to supporting and developing the next generation of the rail industry. 

The Inland Rail team will also continue engaging with local suppliers and businesses across regional New South Wales to help them benefit from the major investment in Inland Rail. 

“Although we are still working on securing our final environmental approvals, we are very much looking forward to starting work on Stockinbingal to Parkes and bringing Inland Rail to life in these very important sections. 

“Most importantly we are also very excited about the benefits that we can bring to local business and suppliers in the Stockinbingal to Parkes and Albury to Illabo sections as we deliver our works there. 

“As part of the Inland Rail program, $2.7 billion in contracts has already been awarded to over 400 suppliers and businesses across the country, with more local businesses between Albury and Parkes to benefit from the new opportunities and supporting jobs,” Inland Rail Director of Program Delivery for Albury to Parkes Melvyn Maylin said. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Inland Rail; Martinus Rail; Infrastructure Magazine; Roads & Infrastructure Australia