Fixing Country Rail
Project overview
Fixing Country Rail is a program which provides targeted funding for rail infrastructure enhancement projects that eliminate connectivity constraints on the NSW regional rail network.
Status
Applications for Funding Open
Current status
Fixing Country Rail 2018 application information
The application process for Fixing Country Rail changed in 2018.
Applications can be received at any time, taking the pressure off applicants to meet set deadlines for funding rounds and better aligns to other NSW and Australian Government grant funding initiatives.
The guidelines and application forms for 2018 funding are currently in review. In the interim, the criteria and application forms for Round One of Fixing Country Rail should be used for any new applications. See below, for the links to the Program Guidelines, the sample application form and the Benefit Cost Analysis Input Sheet.
- Fixing Country Rail Round One Program Guidelines (PDF, 9.98 MB)
- Fixing Country Rail Round One Example Expression of Interest Form (DOCX, 222.72 KB)
- Fixing Country Rail Round One Benefit Cost Analysis Input Sheet (ZIP, 47.56 KB)
Documents on this page are not WCAG 2.0 compliant. If you have trouble accessing information in a document, please contact freight@transport.nsw.gov.au. Alternatively you may contact Raph Miller on 02 8202 3870.
All applications will need to be lodged through the Freight Funding Portal. Transport for NSW will undertake periodic assessments throughout the year by grouping batches of current applications together when a sufficient number have been received. The number of applications in each batch will depend on a range of factors not limited to quality of applications, geographic dispersion, timing and scale of projects, contributory funding sources identified and alignment to NSW Freight and Ports strategic deliverables.
The Technical Panel and the Regional Independent Assessment Panel (RIAP) will then be convened to review the applications. This will enable a competitive assessment process to be undertaken. Infrastructure NSW will then recommend projects to the NSW Government for funding.
If you have a question regarding the changes or the application process please contact freight@transport.nsw.gov.au.
Overview
The NSW Government has committed up to $400 million in Restart NSW funding for the Fixing Country Rail program as part of the Rebuilding NSW State Infrastructure Strategy 2014.
Fixing Country Rail is a key NSW Government program for unlocking the economic potential of regional NSW by building efficient freight transport networks to reduce costs for businesses.
The program provides funding for rail infrastructure enhancement projects which eliminate connectivity constraints affecting regional freight rail services. Projects include rail sidings, passing loops, network upgrades, reinstatement of non-operational lines and signalling system infrastructure.
Fixing Country Rail aligns with and complements Fixing Country Roads in reducing the cost to market for regional businesses.
Round one
Round One of Fixing Country Rail will provide up to $150 million for projects that provide productivity and efficiency benefits for freight moving in and out of regional NSW
Of the 49 projects received for the EOI phase, 27 projects across regional NSW have been shortlisted in the first stage of the program.
Two planning projects in the Riverina region have been announced under Round One of the program, Junee North Triangle and Narrandera – Tocumwal Rail Reactivation (Feasibility Study). See Media Release.
If you have any questions or require support please email freight@transport.nsw.gov.au.
Pilot round: 2016-17
Expressions of Interest for the Fixing Country Rail pilot round closed in May 2016. See the map (PDF, 481.58 KB) of pilot round funding.
Australian Government funding
Council applicants are also encouraged to apply for Australian Government funding.
The most relevant program is:
Australian Government programs will contribute a maximum of 50 per cent of the total project cost. Find out more from: Australian Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development.
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