Country Regional Network
Getting goods moving by linking regional NSW to instate and metropolitan rail networks.
The Country Regional Network is owned by Transport for NSW and links broad areas of regional NSW to interstate and metropolitan rail systems. In addition, the network supports the transportation of coal, grain, cotton, minerals, and containerised freight to domestic and export markets.
The network covers 2,386km of operational passenger and freight rail lines and 3,139km of non-operational lines. It comprises 27,000 hectares of land and infrastructure including:
- 1,312 level crossings (300 active)
- 1,200 property assets (including 356 heritage)
- 600 rail under-bridges and 384 road over-bridges
- About 996 km of branch line track is used predominantly for haulage of grain, with lower mass and speed limits than other parts of the network.
In 2019, Transport for NSW began the search for a rail infrastructure manager to operate and maintain the 5,000km Country Regional Network for a minimum of 10 years. The APP Group partnered with UGL to develop a commercial and technically competitive tender for the operations and maintenance contract.
The team provided a comprehensive positioning of resources early in the tender process by drawing on their deep knowledge of the Country Regional network and its operations. In addition to the overall bid plan, The APP Group developed the mobilisation plan, managed information and data, and supported the development of the asset management solution and delivery team structure.
In January 2022, UGL was awarded the operations and maintenance contract and commenced as rail infrastructure manager for the Country Regional Network.
