Regional Network East/West Uplift Program – RNEW Program

The RNEW Program is in the first phase of establishing a 10-year investment strategy.

The project team is actively involved and coordinating with other key initiatives (see below) to seek feedback and insights to guide the development of the investment strategy.

Timing of the program will be influenced by the two key initiatives below as they will provide important insights. 

Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plans

These comprehensive plans are currently being developed to address the evolving transport needs and aspirations of regional NSW over a 20-year horizon, ensuring everyone has access to safe, reliable, and efficient transport options. 

The insights and feedback provided in developing the plans will help guide the RNEW program. We encourage stakeholders to engage via the Have Your Say portal.

Freight Policy Reform Program

The Freight Policy Reform Program is reviewing ports, rail, road and intermodal facilities, to determine the best policy framework to optimise safety, productivity and sustainability, in response to current and emerging drivers of demand.

A Consultation Paper was released for feedback by an Independent Advisory Panel in April 2024 outlining the guiding principles to inform short, medium and long term actions to be driven by the NSW Government in collaboration with industry and the Australian Government. Consultation closed on 31 May 2024 with over 120 submissions received with nearly 30 one on one meetings and over 10 group sessions with industry stakeholders and associations.   

Further consultation on the Panel's Freight Policy Reform Interim Directions Paper opened on 11 September 2024 and closed on 23 October 2024.

More than 60 submissions were received and are available on the Freight Policy Reform project website.

Feedback on the interim directions paper has been considered by the Freight Policy Reform Independent Advisory Panel (Panel) and will be used to inform their final advice. The Panel is expected to provide this to the NSW Government for consideration once finalised.

The RNEW Program is actively reviewing and following up on the feedback provided, including respective papers published by the Advisory Panel.

The RNEW Program will:

• identify a future pipeline of projects using a best for network approach
• provide the NSW Government with a pathway to identify and prioritise investment
• create the opportunity to better understand, manage, forecast, and deliver improvements on the regional rail network
• provide the NSW Government with the flexibility and agility to address the increasing freight task and changing network conditions, as well as addressing emerging issues on regional rail networks for all users.

The RNEW Program will allow for informed decisions and strategic investment initiatives which will be based on asset condition and customer needs.

The first phases of the RNEW Program will involve data collection, analysis and modelling, followed by targeted stakeholder engagement to establish a short to medium term investment plan for the regional rail network over the next 10 years.  

By bringing all strategic rail projects under the RNEW Program banner, we will be able to better identify and prioritise investments to benefit both freight and passenger rail needs now, and into the future.