Minister for roads and ports Duncan Gay said that a successful tenderer would be granted exclusive rights to restore, operate and maintain the Cowra Lines. The intent is that route would be run on a commercially sustainable basis, under a fixed term licence.
There has been widespread support from local councils and mayors to reopen the Cowra Lines, which were closed in 2007 because of poor coordination between asset managers, high operating costs and low freight volumes.
"Industry response to our registration of interest process in late 2013 was promising and resulted in our decision to now move to open tender,” he said. “With this tender, we have proposed an innovative, market-based model which will mean the private sector will fund the Cowra Lines and manage the risk of this investment. This commercial approach will help ensure there is sustainable demand for freight on these lines."
He added that Transport for NSW’s collaboration with local councils on the tender means that, if re-opened, the Cowra Lines would be better connected with local roads and intermodal terminals, creating a more integrated freight transport network across the region.
The tender will open on 24 March 2014 and the deadline for responses is 2pm on 25 July 2014. More information is available on the NSW eTendering website at tenders.nsw.gov.au. Transport for NSW will also host a public briefing for prospective tenderers on 8 April.
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