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VIC commits to Inland Rail freight corridor

The Victorian Government has signed up to the Inland Rail Project, a direct rail freight connection between Melbourne and Brisbane hoped to jump-start the state’s Regional Rail Revival program.
Victoria is the first state to officially commit to the Inland Rail Project, signing a bilateral agreement with the Federal Government. This pledges them to a long-term lease with the Australian Rail Track Corporation and supports the extension of the northeast inland rail corridor, in addition to changes to the North East Rail Line. This development will allow for the moving of double-stacked freight containers between Melbourne and Brisbane and is expected to return $16 billion to the national economy.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said it was a positive step forward on a project that will create both jobs and investment opportunities throughout regional Victoria.
“I’m pleased to reach agreement with Victoria, the first state to get behind Inland Rail which will improve freight travel times for local farmers and producers and support thousands of jobs,” said the Deputy Prime Minister. “Once complete, Inland Rail will create thousands of jobs nationwide and return $16 billion to the national economy during the delivery phase and in the first 50 years of operation.”
While Inland Rail is a freight project, it will also extend benefits to passengers, releasing funds for much-needed upgrades via the Victorian Regional Rail Revival program.
Victorian Minister for Public Transport and Major Projects Jacinta Allan thanked the Deputy Prime Minister for “acting quickly, so we can now get on with the job of upgrading track, stations and signalling throughout regional Victoria, to run modern trains and get people home sooner.”

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