Turner & Townsend has been appointed to provide Programme Management Office (PMO) services on Inland Rail, Australia’s biggest rail infrastructure project.

Inland Rail will help transform the way freight is moved around Australia and is hailed as of the most significant infrastructure projects in the world, spanning more than 1,700km. The Australian Rail Track Corporation has appointed Turner & Townsend, supported by SNC-Lavalin, to enhance governance processes and support decision-making for the “once-in-a-generation” project.

Inland Rail CEO Richard Wankmuller said: “We are very pleased to have the expertise of Turner & Townsend on board as we ramp up work on Australia’s biggest rail infrastructure project. With construction now underway on the Parkes to Narromine section and comprehensive design work progressing across other parts of the 1,700km route, we welcome the additional structure and support that comes with the PMO being entrenched as a hub of the Inland Rail organisation. 

“The PMO will assist us to develop robust and comprehensive approaches to project governance, assurance, project controls and reporting, as well as fine tune some of our existing processes, augment our current team, and help accelerate delivery of the overall Inland Rail Programme."

Anooj Oodit, managing director Australia and New Zealand, for Turner & Townsend, said: “As well as transforming the movement of freight across Australia, Inland Rail will stimulate regional economies and generate employment opportunities. We are very proud to be part of this important national and transformational infrastructure program which will have a very positive impact on numerous local communities and the nation’s productivity.”

Paul Shepherd-Smith, managing director at SNC-Lavalin’s business in Australia, said: “We are proud to contribute to the largest freight rail infrastructure project in Australia, and a once-in-a-generation program of infrastructure works connecting regional Australia to domestic and international markets.”