THE Australian federal government published its 2017-2018 budget on May 9, committing up to $A 20bn ($US 14.7bn) in current and forward investment in rail projects that it says will cut congestion in cities, provide growth in regional areas and create new employment opportunities.

COAL services operated by Australian rail freight operator Aurizon have suffered severe disruption following heavy rain and flooding caused by Cyclone Debbie which made landfall on the Queensland coast during the last week of March.

AUSTRALIAN rail freight operator Aurizon is looking to revitalise its plans for a 1067mm-gauge rail link to the proposed coalfields in the Galilee Basin in north Queensland, according to reports in the Financial Review.

AUSTRALIA’s Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) will take over full jurisdiction for railway safety in Queensland on June 30 following the passing of legislation by the state government on February 28 for it to cede responsibility to ONRSR.

ACCORDING to a number of recent Australian media reports, Indian mining company Adani has requested a $A 1bn ($US 745m) loan from the Australian government’s Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (Naif) to support the construction of the 389km line linking its coal mine in North Queensland to the port of Abbott Point.

AUSTRALIAN rail freight operator SCT Logistics has announced it will launch its first services on the Melbourne - Brisbane interstate corridor in January 2017, the first time a private operator has challenged the two major players already operating on the route, Pacific National and Aurizon.

AUSTRALIAN rail freight operator Aurizon has released figures for the third quarter of 2016 which show that rail volumes are consistent with expectations, and that there is a continued decrease in total coal volumes but an improvement in its intermodal business.

SIX new stations were added to Queensland Rail's Brisbane Citytrain network on October 3, when the Redcliffe Peninsula Line was inaugurated by Australian prime minister Mr Malcolm Turnbull, the premier of Queensland Mrs Annastacia Palaszczuk, and the mayor of Moreton Bay, Mr Allan Sutherland.

THE split up of Australian logistics and transport specialist Asciano, parent company of major rail freight operator Pacific National (PN), was initiated on August 19 following shareholder approval and signing off by the relevant regulatory authorities.

AUSTRAILIAN rail freight operator Aurizon revealed on August 15 that its 2015-16 full year results highlighted a reduced profit based on falling volumes and previously announced asset impairments.