It’s full steam ahead on the Inland Rail Project as the government finally comes to the party on the big regional infrastructure project – but what’s the next step?
The golden promise of the inland rail venture is now shaping up as a reality. Despite an estimated 10 years to build, this piece of infrastructure will change inland economies and physically connect remote farmers to the world economy in a far more efficient and competitive manner than existing infrastructure.
Now the hard yards start. The Land notices very little has been said about who is going to oversee this massive project.
While it sounds like the ARTC will carry a certain amount of the responsibility, we need a leader to guide this massive project to its valuable end, through the thorny paddocks of state and local government jurisdictions.
We need a leader on the job like Sir William Hudson, who oversaw multiple major constructions, among them being the construction of Nepean Dam, and later, the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. (Coincidentally he is also the grandfather of the federal member for Hume, Angus Taylor).
Hudson was instrumental in bringing skilled workers to Australia (himself being New Zealand born), adding vitality to the social fabric of regional towns, such as Cooma. The Inland Rail Project can do the same.
The Turnbull government must be congratulated on putting money where its mouth is. Inland rail will open up eastern states to new market competition, cut freight costs, generate employment and make regional towns and cities more attractive as bases for a range of businesses.
In short, this project can’t come fast enough to help ease market access and freight constraints on regional Australia. It will create opportunities for private investors and regional communities to develop their own hubs, distribution centres, or other facilities.
The government is doing what governments should be doing here – laying the ground work that enables the community and investors to jump in and be innovative and competitive.
It will also play an important role in bringing jobs back to regional Australia, both in the construction phase, but more importantly, in the long term as new or growing businesses take advantage of newfound market access.
After many years of talk, we finally have some action. Now we need to make sure we put the best people in charge.
