With the first sod of the Inland Rail project officially turned near the town of Parkes today, Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton is pleased to see the nation-building project kick-started.
“Today is a very special milestone signifying the commencement of works on the Inland Rail – a project which compelled me to finish up on the tractor on the farm near Warialda for a career in politics,” Mr Coulton said.
“In my maiden speech 11 years ago I said this rail line would place the Parkes electorate at the transport crossroads of Australia, and that is a statement I believe in strongly today.
“The benefits to local industry will be enormous and I know that by sticking to a strong vision and with tireless work this project will deliver benefits to the regions never seen before, including in my electorate of Parkes.
“Along with my friend and colleague, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, The Hon. Michael McCormack, I am proud that this important project is well underway.”
Fast facts:
• The Inland Rail project is a 1,700 kilometre rail line between Brisbane and Melbourne which will enable freight to be delivered in under 24 hours. It is a $9.3 billion investment made by the Coalition Government.
• The construction contract for the Parkes to Narromine section of Inland Rail is worth more than $300 million and so far more than 14,000 tonnes of steel has been delivered to the site.
• There are currently 187 live contracts for materials, goods and services worth $637 million associated with Inland Rail, including the manufacturing of 200,000 concrete sleepers.
