Mark Carter

THE government of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) announced on December 8 that it is committed to the construction of two light rail lines in Western Sydney that will connect the Parramatta business district to key hubs at Sydney Olympic Park, Western Sydney University, Strathfield and Carlingford.

BOMBARDIER has announced it will supply four additional Bombardier Flexity low-floor LRVs for Australia's Gold Coast Light Rail Transit (GCLRT) network.

VICTORIA state minister for public transport Mrs Jacinta Allan announced on November 19 that a major component of the Melbourne Metro Rail project will be funded and constructed by a partnership between the state government and the private sector.

THE Australian state government of New South Wales has launched the formal planning process for Stage 2 of the Sydney Metro project, which will be known as Sydney Metro City and Southwest.

THE government of the Australian state of Victoria has announced the shortlisted bidders to finance and build 37 high-capacity six-car trains for the Melbourne suburban network.

THE Australian government has announced a tender for the provision of technical and engineering advisory services for the proposed $A 10bn Inland Rail project from Melbourne to Brisbane, which will create a 1700km freight link and includes constructing 600km of new line.

Cities across Australia have invested in light rail in recent years but many projects widely considered as essential to relieve traffic congestion are yet to secure the funding they need. Mark Carter sheds light on the current situation.

With lacklustre domestic economic growth and turmoil in the commodities sector resulting in a difficult year for Australian railfreight, Mark Carter reviews the current issues and looks at the key indicators that will shape the industry in 2016 and beyond.

AUSTRALIA's largest railfreight operator, Aurizon has reported a 139% increase in statutory net profit after tax to $A 604m ($US 443.8m) for the 2015 financial year despite traffic remaining relatively flat.

THE board of Australian logistics group Asciano has recommended that shareholders accept a bid from Brookfield Infrastructure Partners for 100% of the company, which includes Pacific National, Australia's second largest railfreight operator.