Mark Carter

The Australian federal government has revealed that plans for a high-speed rail link along Australia's east coast are still on the drawing board following a number of high-level meetings with Japanese, Chinese, Spanish and French rail companies.

AUSTRALIAN railfreight operator Aurizon has indicated it may consider selling off a major share in its 'below rail' Network Access business as a means of raising capital for major projects aimed at increasing its volumes in the bulk-coal and iron-ore markets.

THE government of the Australian state of New South Wales has issued an international invitation for expressions of interest for a contract to supply 65 eight-car EMUs for inter-city routes.

THE state government of Western Australia has confirmed it is forging ahead with plans for an 8.5km link between the existing Perth suburban station at Midland and Perth Airport, despite previous uncertainty over funding.

AUSTRALIAN railfreight operator Aurizon says that as a direct consequence of current market conditions, and the longer-term outlook in the global and domestic resources sector, it has suspended its involvement in two coal terminal projects under development in Queensland.

THE Australian state of New South Wales has announced that the Northwest Rapid Transit consortium has been selected as the preferred operator for the $A 8.3bn ($US 7.79bn) North West Rail Link in Sydney.

THE government of the Australian state of New South Wales has committed $A 9bn ($US 8.35bn) to current and future heavy and light rail projects in its 2014-15 budget, including more than $A 1.5bn this year.

THE New South Wales (NSW) state government has announced that Australia's largest city Sydney will see the expansion of the planned 'metro' concept to include the city centre and western suburbs to cope with demand for rail services which is forecast to increase by 50% or more over the next 20 years.

THE government of the Australian state of Queensland has announced plans to privatise the 1000km, 1067mm-gauge Townsville – Mount Isa line in Central Queensland as part of its 2014-15 budget strategy.

THE government of the Australian state of New South Wales has announced that it will allocate $A 2.8bn ($US 2.6bn) in funding for around 65 new EMUs, totalling about 520 vehicles, which will be used on outer-suburban services from Sydney to the Central Coast, Newcastle, the Blue Mountains, and Illawarra.