Australian rail update: faster freight, Inland Rail construction and Western Australia network buyback

ARTC cuts Sydney–Melbourne freight journey times by 88 minutes Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) reported that infrastructure and maintenance work over the preceding year had reduced freight journey times between Sydney and Melbourne by 88 minutes. The latest works, completed during a September track possession, involved more than 1,000 workers across 200 sites. They included renewal of over 14 km of rail, repairs to 497 defects and the removal of temporary speed restrictions. The work forms part of ARTC's approximately EUR 1.75 billion Network Investment Program. Inland Rail: first track laid on 39 km new alignment Inland Rail began laying track on the new 39 km Illabo–Stockinbingal section in New South Wales. The alignment will bypass Cootamundra and the Bethungra Spiral, providing a more direct route for freight trains. By early October, approximately 75% of the required rails had reached construction sites. New signalling and crossover infrastructure at Illabo Junction had also been commissioned. Queensland: lower access charges for freight operators Queensland Rail introduced two incentives designed to attract additional freight traffic. From January 2027, operators will be eligible for rebates of up to 50% on additional containerised freight on selected routes, including the North Coast and Mount Isa lines. A separate discount for fuel trains on the Mount Isa corridor is already available. Western Australia: freight network buyback legislation advances Western Australia's Legislative Assembly passed legislation on 15 October enabling the state government to acquire the approximately 5,500 km freight railway network operated by Arc Infrastructure. The proposed acquisition remains subject to negotiations with Brookfield, the infrastructure's ultimate owner. No purchase agreement or final valuation has been announced, and the legislation had not yet completed parliamentary passage by 27 October. New South Wales: Tangara replacement procurement begins Transport for NSW opened the expression-of-interest stage for new electric multiple units under its Future Fleet programme. The initial procurement covers replacement of the Tangara suburban fleet and forms part of a longer-term domestic rolling stock manufacturing strategy. The state has identified Teralba, near Newcastle, as its preferred site for a future manufacturing facility.