ALC is calling for government rail investment

The Australian Logistics Council has called on the Federal Government to commit funding for the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project in its 2017-2018 budget submission.

"The Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail Project has been positively assessed by Infrastructure Australia, Australia's impartial infrastructure umpire, and has been listed on Infrastructure Australia's Infrastructure Priority List," says ALC managing director Michael Kilgariff.

"ALC firmly believes that major projects need to have an independent detailed cost-benefit analysis. Inland Rail has a positive cost-benefit analysis, and the government now needs to demonstrate its commitment to the project by funding construction."

The council points out that all rail freight from Melbourne to Brisbane currently has to travel through the congested Sydney rail network, where passenger trains get priority. Inland Rail will reduce freight travel times from Melbourne to Brisbane to less than 24 hours.

"Inland Rail has been proven to be the right rail investment for Australia. It's time to begin building it," Kilgariff concludes.