The Federal Government has announced a $1.75 billion investment to improve the “productivity, resilience and reliability” of Australia’s freight rail networks.  

The Government is also establishing a new $55 million program to incentivise more freight to move via trains and cargo ships. 

The $1.75 billion sum will be allocated to the Network Investment Program, building on the government’s previous commitment of $1.04 billion to upgrade the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s (ARTC) network.  

It will go towards boosting the efficiency of rail corridors on the East Coast, with upgrades including track renewal works, passing loop extensions, and signalling improvements to remove speed restrictions, improve travel times, enable longer trains and improve reliability and safety. 

Resilience upgrades will also be carried out in high-risk flood areas, particularly along the East-West corridor. Over the past decade, this freight artery has faced several multi-week closures following central Australian downpours. 

Meanwhile the government’s new $55 million Transport Resilience And Capacity Kickstart (TRACK) pilot program will support “more fuel-efficient freight movements” across Australia.  

A government statement said this is “especially relevant while the conflict in the Middle East continues to affect global fuel supply”.  

A coordinator will be designated within the ARTC, who will work with other rail infrastructure managers to put in place improvements to rail operations.  

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said: “The Albanese Government’s $1.75 billion investment in the ARTC network will shift more freight onto rail and protect this network for decades to come.” 

Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian Railway Association, Caroline Wilkie, said the funding announcements have recognised the important role of freight in the national economy.  

“The ARA has been a strong advocate for increased ARTC funding to improve the productivity and efficiency of the network,” she said.  

“This commitment will support a more productive freight system, delivering reduced service disruptions, improved climate resilience, lower operating costs and faster, more frequent services.” 

In response to the TRACK incentive scheme, she said: “Moving more freight on rail reduces national diesel consumption at scale, easing pressure on the supply and lowering costs across the economy. 

“In a constrained fuel environment, this investment strengthens energy security while improving the efficiency of key industries.”