Inland Rail - Civil Works Program - Northern
Project at a glance
QLD Australia
Development Phase
BHQ JOINT VENTURE
About Inland Rail
Inland Rail is a fast freight backbone stretching more than 1,700km that will transform how we move goods around Australia by providing transit times of less than 24 hours between Melbourne and Brisbane.
It will better link regional businesses, manufacturers and producers to national and global markets and generate new opportunities for existing and emerging industries.
Comprising 13 individual projects, Inland Rail is the largest freight rail infrastructure project in Australia and will enable safer, less congested highways, fewer carbon emissions, cheaper freight costs and new economic opportunities for our regions.
Inland Rail is a shot in the arm for Australia's economy, generating $18b in economic benefits and over 21,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The Australian Government selected the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to deliver Inland Rail, in partnership with the private sector.
Civil Works Program - Northern
In late 2021, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) appointed the BHQ Joint Venture (BHQ JV) as the preferred proponent for the Northern Civil Works Program.
The Northern Civil Works Program involves construction of approximately 162km of new dual gauge track with 24.5km of track within the existing Queensland Rail corridor. The line extends from Whetstone in the south to Gowrie in the north.
For more information on the Northern Civil Works Program visit Inland Rail - NSW/Qld Border to Gowrie.
About BHQ JV
Comprising Queensland-owned companies Bielby Holdings Pty Ltd, JF Hull Holdings Pty Ltd, and QH&M Birt Pty Ltd, the BHQ joint venture has entered into a collaborative framework agreement with ARTC to deliver the Inland Rail Northern Civil Works Program between Whetstone and Gowrie in Queensland.
Bielby is a civil engineering company providing infrastructure design and construction services to clients across Australia. Bielby specialises in engineering solutions in the road, rail, ports and marine, aviation, resources and renewable energy sectors.
JF Hull is a civil engineering contracting organisation specialising in the field of concrete construction. JF Hull has grown to deliver some of the most challenging infrastructure projects, providing expertise in bridge works, roadworks, drainage, and structural steelwork.
QH&M Birt specialises in delivering projects for the civil construction and mining sectors, with a diverse range of projects completed throughout Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, New South Wales, and the ACT.
The BHQ JV was selected following rigorous evaluation and demonstrated capability to deliver the right technical solution while also providing significant lasting benefits for local communities along the alignment.
BHQ JV will now be seeking partnerships with regional businesses and skilled operators that can support project delivery.
Description of works involved
- Preparation of approximately 162 km of rail foundation (137.5km Greenfield and 24.5km brownfield, or existing alignment) including embankments and structures
- Full Design
- 30 bridges, spanning approximately 10km over road, rail, and watercourses
- 13 grade separations
- 30 level crossings
- Approximately 33.5km of road upgrades
- 10.4 million m3 of cut (46 km) and 10.6 million m3 of embankment (106km)
- 2,226 culvert cells
- Mobilisation and establishment of facilities including quarries and project site offices
- Two workers' accommodation sites
- Extensive services relocation or protection
Delivery timeframes
BHQ JV and ARTC are working collaboratively to complete detailed design, schedule and deliver the entire works. Major construction works will only commence once regulatory approvals are obtained. This is expected in 2024.
Engaging local and Indigenous suppliers
BHQ JV is committed to creating sustainable economic development and employment opportunities for local and Indigenous businesses and individuals by maximising their opportunities to participate in the project.
BHQ JV will provide full, fair and reasonable opportunity for capable and competitive local and Indigenous businesses and social enterprises to compete for work or participate in supply chains associated with Inland Rail.
Compliance with the Code for the Tendering and Performance of Building Work 2016
TheCode for the Tendering and Performance of Building Work 2016(the Code) applies to the building work associated with this project. By submitting an expression of interest in, or tender for, this project, you will become subject to the Code.
Registration of Interest (ROI) opportunities
The Work Packages section contains a list of indicative opportunities and may not be reflective of actual packages issued for tender pending assessment of market capability and project requirements.
Businesses interested in supplying to the project as subcontractors, suppliers or equipment providers are encouraged to register their interest against the applicable Work Package/s.
Registrants should note:
- A complete, up-to-date and accurate ICN Gateway company profile is required in order to register interest through ICN Gateway. Click here to create a company profile on ICN Gateway
- This is an initial ROI to supply to the Northern Civil Works Program
- Incomplete registrations may not be considered. Information on how to create a company profile or submit a registration of interest on ICN Gateway is provided below (refer to User Guides available in the 'Project Documents' section)
- All ROIs are provided to BHQ JV for their information
- BHQ JV have no contractual or other legal obligation to registrants arising out of the ROI process with respect to the consideration, evaluation, acceptance or rejection of any registration of interest, or the failure to consider, evaluate or accept any registration of interest
- Services, programs and initiatives provided by ICN are designed to complement a company's existing sales, marketing and business development strategy and any ROI submitted should not be considered an alternative to these activities
It is important that businesses registering their interest are aware that their registration does not guarantee that they will progress further in any procurement processes. BHQ JV have broad discretion to suspend, vary or terminate procurement processes of Northern Civil Works Program, decline to consider or review any ROI or negotiate with and enter into a contract with any other party for the performance of a Works Package.
ICN Gateway company profile
Your ICN Gateway company profile and any registrations of interest you submit are used to assess your organisation's ability to complete projects.
Clickhereto create a new company profile or to login to your existing company profile.
Please ensure your business invests the time and energy required to represent itself in the most effective manner possible when completing and/or updating your company profile.
BHQ JV strongly encourages suppliers to contact ICN in the first instance to gain an understanding of the ROI process and development programs, such as their ICN Gateway Profile Improvement Workshops.
Further assistance
Support and assistance are available through the organisations listed below:
- Construction Skills Queensland - https://www.csq.org.au
- ICN Queensland - https://icn.org.au/queensland
- Queensland Government - https://business.qld.gov.au
- Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprises - https://tsbe.com.au
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NSW AUSTRALIAThe Narrabri to North Star (N2NS) section comprises an upgrade to approximately 186km of track within the existing rail corridor and construction of approximately 2.3km of new rail corridor. The works are required to accommodate the operation of 1,800m-long double-stacked freight trains and will involve the modification of various structures
Inland Rail is transforming how everyday goods are moved around our vast country. It will complete the backbone of the national freight network by providing transit times of less than 24 hours for freight trains between Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
VIC AUSTRALIAThe Tottenham to Albury section of Inland Rail will upgrade 305km of existing rail corridor between metropolitan Melbourne and the Victoria-NSW border at Albury-Wodonga.
Due to its scale and complexity, this project is broken into two stages:
- Stage One: Beveridge to Albury
- Stage Two: Metropolitan Melbourne
QLD AUSTRALIAThe Gowrie to Kagaru section of Inland Rail in Queensland will be designed, built, managed and financed through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
The Gowrie to Kagaru section is divided into three separate projects:
- Gowrie to Helidon
- Helidon to Calvert
- Calvert to Kagaru
NSW AUSTRALIAThe Rail Corridor Program involves the delivery of above-ground works, which includes track construction, rail welding, transportation of materials, and the installation and commissioning of level crossings on approximately 570 kilometres of railway between Narromine and Moree in New South Wales and North Start (New South Wales) to Gowrie in Queensland taking in the project's largest greenfield sections.
NSW, QLD AUSTRALIAThe Central Civil Works Program will focus on an 85km (approximately) section between North Star in New South Wales and Whetstone in Queensland as well as a separate 14km package south of Moree called Narrabri to North Star Phase 2.
The Works are allowing for future connections to Goondiwindi and the broader region. It follows the existing track north from North Star before crossing Bruxner Way and the border to join the existing Queensland Rail line.
NSW AUSTRALIAThe Albury to Parkes section involves extensive enhancements to specific sites across the 355 kilometres of existing track running from Albury to Illabo and Stockinbingal to Parkes.
The enhancements would provide the necessary vertical and horizontal clearance along the existing 'Main South Line' corridor to support the safe running of double-stacked freight trains up to 1,800 metres long and 6.5 metres high.
The Albury to Parkes section is divided into two separate projects Albury to Illabo & Stockinbingal to Parkes.
NSW AUSTRALIAThe Southern Civil Works Program involves construction of 306km of new single track rail line from Narromine to Narrabri. It is the longest project within Inland Rail.
This 306km of new track is a crucial part of delivering our fast and reliable freight rail service between Melbourne and Brisbane.
NSW AUSTRALIAThe Albury to Parkes section of Inland Rail includes trackwork, passing loops, bridgework, new structures and signaling comprising:
Albury to Illabo (A2I) - 185km enhancement project to support double-stacked freight trains across 20 sites in a brownfield rail environment, and
Stockinbingal to Parkes (S2P) - a further 173km of enhancement project across 10 sites in a brownfield rail environment.
NSW AUSTRALIAMartinus Rail bid for Albury to Parkes Inland Rail Enhancement Works
The Albury to Parkes section of Inland Rail includes trackwork, passing loops, bridgework, new structures and signalling comprising:
Albury to Illabo (A2I) - 185km enhancement project to support double-stacked freight trains across 20 sites in a brownfield rail environment, and
Stockinbingal to Parkes (S2P) - a further 173km of enhancement project across 10 sites in a brownfield rail environment.
NSW AUSTRALIAAlbury to Parkes Enhancement Projects
The Albury to Parkes section involves extensive enhancements to specific sites across the 355km of existing track running from Albury to Illabo and Stockinbingal to Parkes.
The enhancements will provide the necessary vertical and horizontal clearance along the existing 'Main South Line' corridor to support the safe running of double-stacked freight trains up to 1,800m long and 6.5m high
NSW AUSTRALIAThe Illabo to Stockinbingal (I2S) section of Inland Rail involves construction of approximately 39km of new single track between Illabo and Stockinbingal. The route will bypass the townships of Cootamundra and Bethungra and the winding, steep section of track known as the Bethungra Spiral on the Main South line; opening up a more efficient way to transport freight through the area. It also includes upgrading approximately 3km of existing track along this section.
NSW AUSTRALIAThe Illabo to Stockinbingal (I2S) section of Inland Rail involves construction of approximately 39km of new single track between Illabo and Stockinbingal. The route will bypass the townships of Cootamundra and Bethungra and the winding, steep section of track known as the Bethungra Spiral on the Main South line; opening up a more efficient way to transport freight through the area. It also includes upgrading approximately 3km of existing track along this section
In early-2023, ARTC appointed John Holland as one of three elected contractors to bid for the Illabo to Stockinbingal project. John Holland is currently preparing its competitive bid for this project.