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

The Fixing Country Rail program 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 cost to market for regional businesses. 

 

Program framework and funding

The Fixing Country Rail Program 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 MARCH 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 – Crossing Loop 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 Cargellio – 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.

Rail sectionProject nameFunding amount
Orange – ParkesBumberry - Crossing LoopBusiness case funding
Junee – GriffithJunee North Fork to Main South Line – Line 
Reinstatement
Business case funding
Junee – GriffithJunee to Griffith – Intermediate Loops (approx. 2 
loops)
Business case funding
Orange – DubboKerrs Creek – Crossing LoopBusiness case funding
Orange - DubboMaryvale Crossing LoopBusiness case funding
Narrabri - WalgettNarrabri to Walgett - 25 TALBusiness case funding 
Narromine – CobarNarromine – Inland Rail ConnectivityBusiness case funding
Narromine – CobarNarromine to Nyngan – Line Upgrades 25 TALBusiness case funding
Narromine – CobarNyngan to Cobar – 25 TALBusiness case funding
Orange – ParkesPinecliffe – Crossing LoopBusiness case funding
Bowenfels – OrangePolona – Crossing LoopBusiness case funding
Stockinbingal – GriffithStockingbingal to GriffithBusiness case funding
Junee – GriffithWumbugal – Siding Business 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.

Local Government Area(s)Project nameFunding amount
City of Wagga WaggaRiverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics $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.

Local Government Area(s)Project nameFunding amount
Coonamble ShireCoonamble South Siding$2,537,832
Mid-Western Regional Kandos to Gulgong Line Reinstatement Feasibility Study$500,000
Lithgow CityMain West Bi-Directional Signalling Upgrade (Wallerawang section)$12,951,443
Dubbo Regional, Mid-Western RegionalMaryvale to Gulgong Line Reinstatement Feasibility Study$1,000,000
Temora Shire and Bland ShireTemora to Calleen Upgrade to 25 Tonne Axle Load$28,698,603
Temora ShireTemora West Rail Siding$2,150,000

 

Round 1 

The NSW Government announced the successful projects under Round 1 of Fixing Country Rail.

Local Government Area(s)Project NameFunding amount
Narrabri ShireBellata Rail Siding$1,820,000
City of ShoalhavenBerry to Bomaderry Rail Line and the OMEGA Tunnels Track Upgrade
 
$39,993,000
Lachlan ShireCondobolin Rail Siding$1,210,000
City of AlburyEttamogah Rail Hub Siding Expansion$7,582,292
Bogan ShireHermidale Multi User Siding$2,517,323
Murrumbidgee CouncilJunee to Griffith Line Upgrade$60,432,444
Junee Shire CouncilJunee North Triangle Planning$600,000
Wingecarribee Shire CouncilMount Murray Loop Extension$7,500,000
Narrandera Shire Council and Berrigan Shire 
Council
Narrandera-Tocumwal railway line reactivation study
 
$500,000
Narromine ShireNarromine - Ulan Upgrade projects$4,217,459
City of NewcastlePort Waratah Yard Configuration$3,326,720
Forbes ShireRed Bend Rail Siding $970,000
Goulburn MulwareeTarago Passing Loop Extension$7,708,306
Pilot Round  

In August 2016, the NSW Government announced the successful projects for the Pilot Round of Fixing Country Rail. 

Local Government 
Area(s)
Project nameRecommended amount
Moree Plains Shire, Iverell ShireReinstatement of a 3km section of Moree 
to Inverell railway line 
Up to $2 million
Walgett Shire, Narrabri ShireRail siding extension at Burren Junction Up to $1.5 million
Carrathool ShireRail siding extension at HillstonUp to $3 million
HilltopsReinstatement of the almost 35km 
Maimuru to Demondrille railway line (part 
of non-operational Cowra Lines) 
Up to $5 million 
Narrandera ShireRail siding extension at Barellan Up to $1.5 million
Unincorporated ACTRail siding upgrade at the Canberra 
Railway Freight Terminal (Fyshwick)
Up to $1 million 
 
Shellharbour CityInstallation of a now turnout at The Rock Canberra 4 the centre of Dunmore Loop at ShellharbourShare of $1 million
City of WollongongInstallation of a new turnout at Rail siding 
upgrade at Unanderra
Share of $1 million 
Goulburn Mulwaree Shire, Queanbeyan-Palerang RegionalNow crossing loop near TaragoShare of $1 million 
Tamworth RegionalReinstatement of the non-operational line from West Tamworth to WestdaleShare of $1 million