Fixing Country Rail

Reviewed

Project overview

Fixing Country Rail is a $400 million NSW Government program providing targeted infrastructure funding from Restart NSW for regional freight projects.

The program improves capacity, access, efficiency and reliability by upgrading parts of the regional rail network. 

About the program 

Background

Fixing Country Rail is:  

  • moving freight more efficiently around NSW  
  • increasing the capacity, access and reliability of the rail network  
  • reducing the cost of getting goods to market   
  • supporting jobs, growth and the economic productivity and
  • supporting a freight modal shift from road to rail.   

The efficient movement of food, produce and raw materials that feed and power the state contributes to economic growth in rural areas. 

Benefits

Projects funded under Fixing Country Rail include:

  • building sidings which are stretches of railroad track that allow freight trains to load and unload goods, while enabling trains on the same line to pass.   
  • building and upgrading passing loops that allow the use of high productivity trains and enable trains to overtake and pass each other on the line.   
  • upgrading the network so that trains can carry larger loads.

Fixing Country Rail aligns with and complements Fixing Country Roads by improving regional freight connectivity and reducing the costs of getting goods to market.

 

Program framework and funding

Fixing Country Rail is no longer a submission-based funding program. It is a strategic rail program, informed by the NSW Freight and Ports Plan 2018-2023, Future Transport and other key rail network strategies developed by Transport for NSW.

Transport for NSW identifies suitable projects for consideration during consultation with industry stakeholders.

Funding Rounds

Project lists last updated July 2023.

Please note, although this information is updated regularly, project conditions can change rapidly, and so some details may not reflect more recent project developments. For the most up-to-date information, please contact freight.projects@transport.nsw.gov.au.

2022 Round

In February 2023, the NSW Government made funding available for two projects under the 2022 Round of Fixing Country Rail.

Project namePhaseFunding amount
Gilgandra to Coonamble 25 TAL upgrade Delivery$24,064,110
Wumbulgal SidingDelivery$19,042,711
2020 Round

In February 2021, the NSW Government made funding available for 18 projects under the 2020 Round of Fixing Country Rail.  

Project namePhaseFunding amount
Coolamon – Siding ExtensionDelivery$11,660,813
Gilgandra to Coonamble – 25 TALDesign and Planning$720,000
Narrabri to Walgett – 25 TALDesign and Planning$910,000
Narromine to Nyngan Line Upgrade – 25 TALDesign and Planning$750,000
Nyngan to Cobar – 25 TALDesign and Planning$870,000
Stockinbingal to Griffith – 25 TALDesign and Planning$920,000
Wumbulgal Siding ProjectDesign and Planning$720,000
Bogan Gate to Tottenham – 25 TALBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Bogan Gate to Tottenham New 1,300m LoopBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Calleen to Lake Cargelligo and Naradhan 25 TALBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Griffith to Hillston – 25 TALBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Griffith to Hillston – Intermediate LoopsBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Narrabri to Walgett – Intermediate LoopsBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Narromine to Cobar – Intermediate LoopsBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Stockinbingal to Griffith – Intermediate LoopsBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Temora to Lake Cargelligo – Intermediate LoopsBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Tharbogang - Crossing Loop & Upgrade to 25 TALBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Troy Junction to Coonamble – Intermediate LoopsBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
  Total: $17,510,813

 

2019 Round

The NSW Government made funding available to carry out 13 business cases under the 2019 Round of Fixing Country Rail.

Project namePhaseFunding amount
Bumberry - Crossing LoopBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Junee North Fork to Main South Line – Line 
Reinstatement
Business CaseBusiness case funding
Junee to Griffith – Intermediate LoopsBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Kerrs Creek – Crossing LoopBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Maryvale Crossing LoopBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Narrabri to Walgett - 25 TALBusiness CaseBusiness case funding 
Narromine – Inland Rail ConnectivityBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Narromine to Nyngan – Line Upgrades 25 TALBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Nyngan to Cobar – 25 TALBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Pinecliffe – Crossing LoopBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Polona – Crossing LoopBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Stockingbingal to GriffithBusiness CaseBusiness case funding
Wumbugal – Siding Business CaseBusiness case funding
  Total $815,000

 

2018 Round - Tranche 1B

In June 2019, the NSW Government announced the successful project under Tranche 1B of the 2018 Round of Fixing Country Rail.

Project namePhaseFunding amount
Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics HubDelivery$14,383,241

 

2018 Round - Tranche 1A

In February 2019, the NSW Government announced the successful projects under Tranche 1A of the 2018 Round of Fixing Country Rail.

Project namePhaseFunding amount
Coonamble South SidingDelivery$2,537,832
Kandos to Gulgong Line Reinstatement Feasibility StudyFeasibility Study$500,000
Main West Bi-Directional Signalling Upgrade (Wallerawang section)Delivery$12,951,443
Maryvale to Gulgong Line Reinstatement Feasibility StudyFeasibility Study$1,000,000
Temora to Calleen Upgrade to 25 Tonne Axle LoadDelivery$28,698,603
Temora West Rail SidingDelivery$2,150,000
Round 1 

In May 2018, the NSW Government announced the successful projects under Round 1 of Fixing Country Rail.

Project namePhaseFunding amount
Bellata Rail SidingDelivery$1,820,000
Berry to Bomaderry Rail Line and the OMEGA Tunnels Track Upgrade
 
Delivery$39,993,000
Condobolin Rail SidingDelivery$1,210,000
Ettamogah Rail Hub Siding ExpansionDelivery$7,582,292
Hermidale Multi User SidingDelivery$2,517,323
Junee to Griffith Line UpgradeDelivery$60,432,444
Junee North Triangle PlanningDesign and Planning$600,000
Mount Murray Loop ExtensionDelivery$7,500,000
Narrandera-Tocumwal railway line reactivation study
 
Delivery$500,000
Narromine - Ulan Upgrade projectsDelivery$4,217,459
Port Waratah Yard ConfigurationDelivery$3,326,720
Red Bend Rail Siding Delivery$970,000
Tarago Passing Loop ExtensionDelivery$7,708,306
Pilot Round  

Announced in April 2016, Transport for NSW conducted a separate Pilot Round for Fixing Country Rail, to test processes for the roll-out of a full program under Restart NSW. In August 2016, Transport for NSW allocated $15 million to 10 projects under the Pilot Round. The round included three feasibility studies; Executive summaries of these feasibility studies are available in the Project documents section of this page.​​

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