$8.4 Billion Boost for Inland Rail Funding
Moree Plains Shire Council welcomes the Federal Government's $8.4 billion dollar commitment towards the continued development of the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail Project.
The Inland Rail will provide a corridor of opportunity between Brisbane and Melbourne via Toowoomba, Moree, Parkes and Albury, linking Australia's state capitals in the north, south, east and west. In addition, the project will improve productivity of the national land freight network and be an enduring economic asset for regional communities in south–east Australia.
Mayor Cr Katrina Humphries was thrilled to receive the news of the funding announcement by the Federal Government backing the Inland Rail project. “This is a fabulous boost to a nation building project and supports continued development of Moree as the northwest regional transport hub,” she said.
“We have been believers in this project for a long time, hosting the Inland Rail Symposium and working closely with Australian Rail Track Corporation. It’s a project Moree Plains Shire Council actively supports and has done so for such a long time – it’s truly a brilliant result!” said Mayor Humphries.
This significant funding announcement, combined with the nearly one billion dollars of committed funds, means the momentum for the project will continue to grow. It will also give industry confidence in investing in regional New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.
It has been well established that the load on the national land freight system will grow considerably by 2031 and continue improving with the benefit of a modern logistical supply system.
Given the significant freight demands of the Moree Plains, as well as being strategically placed on a major freight corridor, the Shire is ideally located in the heart of Australia’s most productive agricultural area to be a major point for delivery of efficient logistical and transport services for the region.
“This really demonstrates that the Government is serious about backing our agricultural sector. Efficient rail access provides a range of opportunities for the regions and ensures that Australian agricultural products can be even more competitive in a domestic and global market. This is a game-changer for our farmers and I could not be happier.”
“The Inland Rail will play a critical role in providing substantial economic and community benefits to be realised by allowing more efficient movement of freight, reducing congestion on our key road transport corridors, and creating employment opportunities in regional Victoria, NSW and Queensland,” said the Mayor.