22 local Victorian businesses have now won contracts worth almost $1 million during Tranche 2 of the Beveridge to Albury section of the Inland Rail project.
Since October 2022, the project – with partner McConnell Dowell – has spent $118 million with 303 Victorian suppliers to carry out work at construction sites in Wangaratta, Glenrowan, Barnawartha North and Seymour-Avenel Road.
The entire project is expected to transform Australia’s rail freight industry. Initially, Victoria and New South Wales are expected to be connected from Beveridge to Narromine by 2027 before extending up to Kagaru in Queensland.
In Victoria, work will be carried out at 12 project sites between Beveridge and Albury to enable double-stacked freight trains to pass safely and ensure everyday products can be delivered faster and more reliably around Australia.
Inland Rail Delivery Director B2A Ed Walker says the project is determined to utilise local businesses as much as possible as the project progresses.
“Local suppliers are invaluable,” Walker says. “They have local knowledge and understanding and can tap into the community expertise and talent we need to complete the project.
“We are determined to see local and First Nations businesses win contract on the Inland Rail project and maximise the economic benefit in communities along the alignment.
“More communities and businesses are set to benefit when we roll out the second tranche of the project in Benalla, Euroa, Wandong, Hume Freeway – Tallarook and Seymour, and Broadford.”
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