Mark Carter

Australia's largest railfreight operator Aurizon has sought to grow its business primarily through its heavy-haul capabilities. However, recent turmoil in global iron-ore and coal markets is creating some turbulence for the operator's aspirations, writes Mark Carter.

THE state government of Western Australia issued its budget for 2015-2016 on May 13 with a commitment to funding the extension of the TransPerth suburban network to Perth airport, but the proposed Max light rail project appears to have been put on hold.

THE Western Australian state government has announced that three consortia have been shortlisted to bid for the design-build contract for Perth's $A 2.2bn ($US 2bn) Forrestfield-Airport Link.

THE government of the Australian state of Victoria has committed significant funds to new rolling stock, rail projects, and infrastructure upgrades across the state over the next four years in its 2015-16 budget announced on May 5.

PRIVATE equity firm Allegro Funds has acquired luxury train company Great Southern Rail from Serco for a figure 'below $A20m' ($US15m).

AUSTRALIAN railfreight operator Aurizon has increased net profit by 188% to $A 308m ($US 240m) for the first half of the 2014-15 financial year ending December 31 2014, compared with the first half of 2013-14, despite a decline in traffic.

THE government of the Australian state of Victoria has indicated its commitment to the Melbourne Metro Rail project by providing $A 40m ($US 31.1m) in funding to immediately establish a statutory authority to oversee planning works, develop the reference design and undertake detailed site investigations.

THE South West Rail Link (SWRL) extension to the Sydney Trains suburban network from Glenfield to Leppington was officially opened to the public on February 7.

THE government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has announced that the option for an extension to the Capital Metro light rail network from Canberra city centre to the suburb of Russell will be included in the upcoming request for proposals for the first stage of the project.

THE government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) says four private sector consortia have submitted formal expressions of interest for the Capital Metro light rail project in Canberra.