**$1 Billion Boost for National Rail Network with Major Upgrades to Trans-Australian Railway**
The Trans-Australian Railway, spanning 1,693km from Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta, is set for significant upgrades as part of a $1 billion investment in Australia’s rail infrastructure. Starting in the 2024-25 financial year, the project aims to enhance the resilience of this crucial freight link against extreme weather, with over $200 million allocated for improvements. This initiative follows recent disruptions due to flooding, highlighting the need for a more robust rail system. The federal government’s contribution of $540 million underscores the project’s importance for national supply chain stability.
In a significant move to enhance Australia’s rail infrastructure, a substantial investment exceeding $1 billion is earmarked for the national rail network, with a significant portion allocated to the Trans-Australian Railway line. This line, which spans 1,693km from Kalgoorlie in Western Australia to Port Augusta in South Australia, is set for major upgrades starting in the 2024-25 financial year, a project that is anticipated to extend over several years.
The upgrade, costing over $200 million, aims to fortify large segments of the Trans-Australian Railway line to endure extreme weather conditions, specifically those occurring once in a century. This initiative is part of a broader $1 billion investment strategy, which includes a $540 million contribution from the Commonwealth as announced in the recent Federal Budget. The goal is to bolster the resilience of the national rail network against the backdrop of increasing weather-related disruptions.
Originally completed in 1917 and converted to standard gauge in 1968, the Trans-Australian Railway line facilitates a direct rail connection between Sydney and Perth. However, this crucial link was disrupted for 21 days due to extensive flooding across the remote Nullarbor in March, affecting not only rail but also road transport, notably the Eyre Highway. This had a knock-on effect on supermarket supplies in Western Australia. A similar incident in 2022 saw the railway line closed for 24 days after floods damaged approximately 300 kilometres of track near Tarcoola in South Australia.
Wayne Johnson, the managing director of the Australian Rail Track Corporation, highlighted the significance of the funding as a major boost for the rail industry. He noted the repeated disruptions caused by severe weather events and emphasized the comprehensive hydrological assessments undertaken across the 8,500km network to inform the upgrade works. These enhancements are designed to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events on rail operations.
The federal funding package includes $140 million for culvert upgrades to improve flood resilience and an additional $100 million for replacing existing rail with heavier steel to accommodate larger trains on key sections of the line. Despite the extensive nature of the upgrades, Johnson assured that work would commence within the financial year, acknowledging the logistical challenges of integrating the upgrades with ongoing rail operations.
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) underscored the economic toll of rail disruptions, citing an average of 40 days of service outages annually due to flooding, which significantly impacts the national supply chain. In 2022 alone, disruptions on the east-west rail line cost the economy $320 million.
While the rail investment has been welcomed, there are calls for broader strategic planning to address freight system vulnerabilities. Cam Dumesny, CEO of the Western Roads Federation, stressed the need for enhanced warehouse stocks in susceptible regions and criticized the lack of national coordination in managing interstate freight disruptions. Additionally, there are appeals for accelerated roadworks, particularly the sealing of the Great Central Road, to provide alternative transport routes during emergencies.
As Australia grapples with the challenges of maintaining a robust and resilient transport infrastructure, the significant investment in the Trans-Australian Railway line represents a critical step towards safeguarding the nation’s rail network against the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events.