$7.9 billion to rail in 2018-19 Budget good for economy, jobs and supply chain
14 May 2018
The Federal Government’s $7.9
billion investment to
rail announced in tonight’s 2018-19 Budget is supported by the
Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and noted as a significant boost
to the rail sector.
“The ARA acknowledges the Government’s commitment to both passenger and
freight rail in our cities and in our regions, enhancing our national
and local economies, providing greater job opportunities for Australians
and improving liveability in our cities,” said ARA CEO, Danny Broad.
Skills development will be the challenge
“With this significant pipeline of work over the next decade, it is
imperative that Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments work
collaboratively with industry to identify the long-term labour skills
required, ensuring training methodologies are leading edge, as well as
enhancing traineeship and apprenticeship opportunities and capabilities.
This is exactly what we have been advocating for since September 2017 in
our National Rail Industry Plan.
“If we do not get this right and invest now in the skills needed
tomorrow, we will be putting the cart before the horse, resulting in
projects not being delivered on time, delays and congestion to our
networks – ultimately not solving the problems we are there to fix,”
said Danny Broad.
Turning specifically to the Budget, ARA CEO, Danny Broad said many would
benefit from what these announcements mean for the movement of people
and freight.
“The ARA welcomes $400 million injected to ease congestion around
Sydney Airport through the duplication of tracks on the line to Port
Botany. Every single additional train with containers along this rail
line will take 50 trucks off the road, creating 150 jobs during
construction.
“On the passenger rail front, $5 billion has been committed by the
Commonwealth for the Melbourne
Airport Rail Link, $1.1 billion for the Metronet Rail Project in
Western Australia, $390 million to duplicate the North Coast
Queensland line between Beerburrum and Landsborough and $220 million for
the Gawler Rail Line electrification in
South Australia.
“All in all this is an investment of $7.9 billion to rail in Australia,
which is good for our economy, jobs and our cities.
--ENDS--
Source: Australasian Railway Association (ARA) - www.ara.net.au
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