The RTBU believes the Inland Rail project is one of the most important infrastructure projects to be undertaken in this country since the construction of the Snowy Hydro scheme. The project has the potential to revolutionise the movement of transport north-south for the eastern states, and to contribute significantly to Australia’s economic growth and productivity over the next 50 years and beyond. 

The RTBU argues that the Inland Rail project should be a top-tier infrastructure priority for the Federal Government, however we also believe the current proposal needs to be re-worked to ensure it delivers a world-class outcome for Australia. The guiding principles for the delivery of Inland Rail should be:

• Inland Rail should be treated as transformational and intergenerational nation building project, delivering 21st Century performance and productivity benefits.
• The journey-time from one end to the other should be under 20 hours, enabling a return train consist to be completed in two days.
• The project should be constructed to North American Class I Railroad standards rather than ARTC mainline standards in order to support modern fast, efficient, high-productivity freight trains.
• The project should begin with the Toowoomba to Port of Brisbane corridor – the section that will deliver the most value to the national economy. 

See the RTBU's full submission on Inland Rail to the Federal Government here.