*Last Updated: June 2020
What is the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail?
The $10 billion Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail has been flagged as a once in a generation infrastructure project that will see a 1,700km freight rail line between Melbourne and Brisbane installed through regional Australia. This rail line will allow freight to be transported from the major cities in less than 24 hours, vastly increasing Australia's freight capacity.
Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail Project Plan
- Inland Rail Cost: $9.89 billion
- Federal Funding: $9.3 billion
- QLD to VIC State Government Funding: TBD
- Project Type: Rail - Inland Rail
- Length of Job: 1700 km
Inland Rail Jobs & Community Plan
Projected Jobs For Inland Rail: 16000 during construction
Estimates indicate that demand for freight services between Melbourne and Brisbane will increase 165% over the coming decades (from 4.9 million tonnes in 2016 to 13 million tonnes in 2050 - based on 20 foot equivalents units or TEUs). Current freight capacity is incapable of supporting this significant increase.
Currently, the Melbourne to Brisbane freight route runs via Sydney is unreliable and incapable of meeting the transit times that industry requires. This is due to a number of factors, such as:
- capacity constraints
- incompatible rail gauge alignments (particularly between Brisbane and Sydney)
- inefficiencies created through the freight transiting through the Sydney metropolitan area
Faster transit times exist via road between Melbourne and Brisbane (via inland New South Wales) than by rail. Limited overtaking lanes and sections of two-lane single carriageway, however, create inefficiencies on the existing road route. Therefore, rail upgrades are required to combat the potential for increased transit times on-road due to increased usage.
What route will the Inland Rail take?
The Inland Rail's 1,700km route will link Melbourne to Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. 70% of the Inland Rail's route is made up of already existing rail corridors, though these corridors will be upgraded to handle the increased capacity. 500km of new rail will be built from Illabo to Stockinbingal, Narromine to Narrabi and North Star to the New South Wales/Queensland Border. The majority of the Queensland rail line will also be constructed.

What towns will the Inland Rail pass through?
- Melbourne, Victoria
- Tottenham, Victoria
- Seymour, Victoria
- Albury, New South Wales
- Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
- Junee, New South Wales
- Illabo, New South Wales
- Stockinbingal, New South Wales
- Parkes, New South Wales
- Narromine, New South Wales
- Gwabegar, New South Wales
- Narrabri, New South Wales
- Moree, New South Wales
- North Star, New South Wales
- Yelarbon, Queensland
- Inglewood, Queensland
- Gowrie, Queensland
- Toowoomba, Queensland
- Grandchester, Queensland
- Calvert, Queensland
- Bromelton, Queensland
- Kagaru, Queensland
- Brisbane, Queensland
In any of these towns and want a chance of working on the rail construction? Create a free iSeekplant profile and list your machines today!
How has the Inland Rail been funded?
In the 2017 Federal Budget, the Federal Government committed $8.4 billion to build the Inland Rail. In total, the Federal Government has now committed $9.3 billion to the project. Any further required funds are expected to come from a partnership with the Private Sector
How will the Inland Rail be delivered?
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) are responsible for delivering the Inland Rail project. They have divided the route into 13 individual projects across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Contracts have been awarded for these sections and construction began this year. It is expected the project will be fully delivered by 2024/25.
What are the benefits of the Inland Rail?
The long term benefits of the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail are related to the efficiency and capacity of Australia's freight infrastructure. It is expected that the Inland Rail will result in a $16 billion boost to Australia's GDP over the next 50 years. Furthermore, during construction the Inland Rail is expected to create 10,000 jobs in regional and metro Australia.
Want a chance of working on the rail construction? Create a free iSeekplant profile and list your machines today!
Read all the major news updates about the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail below.
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19 October 2021
Spin that wheel – GRI Tires get real about eco-friendly tyre management
By iseekplant
It’s not easy being green, a Muppet once proclaimed with an undertone of sorrow. And while it may not be the simplest road ...
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19 May 2021
Great Northern Highway Upgrades Underway
By iseekplant
The second stage of upgrades to the Great Northern Highway, north of Ord River in the Kimberley region are now underway. ...
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18 May 2021
$448M Mitchell Freeway Upgrade Creates 2,200 Jobs
By iseekplant
A $448 million upgrade to Mitchell Freeway is now underway, with three separate projects undergoing construction and more ...
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17 May 2021
Two New Sydney Metro Stations To Connect CBD and Parramatta
By iseekplant
The NSW Government has announced the acquisition of 13 city buildings lining the streets of Pyrmont and Hunter Street to ...
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6 May 2021
Coomera Connector’s Preferred Northern Route Confirmed
By iseekplant
The preferred route for the new Coomera Connector’s northern section has been identified following an independent study of ...
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5 May 2021
Sydney Airport Metro Builder Shortlist Announced
By iseekplant
Two builders have been shortlisted to deliver key construction works on the Sydney Airport Metro railway line, a project ...
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4 May 2021
Contracts Awarded for Princes Highway Duplication
By iseekplant
The Federal and Victorian Governments have awarded construction contracts for the final 43km of the Princes Highway ...
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3 March 2021
Winning Contractor Announced for $30M Inland Rail Contract
By Tess Church
This week the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has awarded a $30 million contract for significant sections of the ...
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6 January 2021
Aust Gov invests a further $5.5bn for Inland Rail
By Tess Church
The Federal Government has injected an additional $5.5 billion into the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to help ...
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10 November 2020
$693M Inland Rail Contract awarded between Narrabri and North Star
By Tess Church
In December of 2019, three firms were shortlisted in a tender process vying for the Inland Rail contract to deliver the ...
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24 October 2018
A major construction contract has been awarded for the $9.3b Inland Rail. Construction will begin this year!
By Thomas Lee
INLink and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) have agreed on a contract to construct the first section of the mega ...
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6 September 2018
$9.3b, 1700 km Inland Rail Project Given Green Light to Start Construction
By Thomas Lee
Australia’s biggest interstate rail project has been green-lighted to begin construction on the 1,700km Melbourne to ...
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9 February 2018
Contracts Awarded for Toowoomba to Brisbane Section of the $10b Inland Rail Mega Project
By Sally McPherson
Work is continuing to progress on the 1,700km, $10 Billion Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail mega project $31.5 million ...