Since the project began in December of 2018, Inland Rail has spent $570 million with 1000 local businesses across regional Australia.
On Wednesday, September 17, the company’s acting chief operating officer Ed Walker told delegates at the Converge Construction Conference that Inland Rail had created 7674 jobs.
Over half of these had been secured by local workers, and more jobs are set to be created as construction progresses in Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
“Inland Rail is encouraging investment in regional Australia and supporting industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and logistics,” Mr Walker said.
“Towns along the route are already seeing the benefits, with new business activity, improved infrastructure, and increased confidence in local economies.”
Projects in Glenrowan, Barnawartha, Wangaratta, and at Seymour-Avenel Rd have been completed, with work in Benalla, Euroa, Broadford, Wandong, and at the Hume Fwy in Seymour and Tallarook currently well under way.
Inland Rail indicated it intended to carry out construction with a strong focus on community engagement, environmental sustainability and First Nations’ participation.
The Beveridge to Albury project is part of a wider collection of works delivering a 1600km freight line that will carry double-stacked trains between Brisbane and Melbourne.
“It’s not just about moving freight faster - it’s about building stronger, more resilient communities,” Mr Walker said.
“Inland Rail is connecting regions, creating jobs, growing regional capabilities, and building a stronger national economy.”
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