ARTC signs $292M rail supply contract with SA steelmaker
Steelworkers in South Australia will manufacture more than 110,000 tonnes of steel rails for the Inland Rail project as part of a $292 million contract between Liberty Primary Steel and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).
The contract will support upgrades between Narrabri and Turrawan, a vital connection between Inland Rail and the Hunter Valley coal network, and the Southern Highlands line in New South Wales.
The Whyalla-based business will roll out more than 147,000 tonnes of steel rail for key rail projects across Australia, including more than 110,000 tonnes for the remaining sections of Inland Rail. This is expected to support 1,500 jobs in the coming years.
The contract follows the $143 million contract signed between ARTC and Austrak last month to supply more than 1.3 million concrete sleepers for Inland Rail – representing $435 million in combined investment.
Making the announcement, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the latest contract further highlighted how Inland Rail was already benefitting Australia.
“This $292 million contract is a vote of confidence in Australian manufacturing, ensuring the high-quality steel needed to bring Inland Rail to life is made by Australians for the benefit of Australians,” the Minister said.
Mark Campbell, ARTC CEO and Managing Director, said ARTC was continuing to support Australian manufacturing at a time when the nation continued to fight back against the economic impacts from COVID-19.