Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Watch

Inland rail link halved after $45bn cost blowout

Published 6 May 2026, 8:40 am

It was lauded as one of the biggest infrastructure investments ever for regional Australia. Now the roughly half-complete Inland Rail Project has been officially scaled back. The 1,600km route was first intended to transport freight between Melbourne and Brisbane. But with the projected cost blowing out to $45 billion, the government says the project will instead finish in the NSW town of Parkes, pledging to redirect money to improve existing freight networks.

Tags

Share

Recommended for you

Solar panels on the roof of a house

Over 60 per cent of popular Cheaper Home Batteries Program installations 'substandard'

renewable energy

A stylised image of two men in the foreground, with the one on the right leaning against a white ute. There's a sheep at a solar farm in the background.

The 'crop' we're not harvesting: Why Australia's brightest source is still underused

renewable energy

Under a twilight sky featuring a thin crescent moon, four massive, angular telescope enclosures of the Very Large Telescope (VLT) stand atop the rocky plateau of Cerro Paranal in Chile's Atacama Desert.

While the world's eyes were on the moon, Australia quietly axed a major space deal

space technology

The lessons from the Middle East war Australia can't afford to ignore

war in the middle east

'Damn it, let's go after him': What the Democrats need to topple Donald Trump

politics of united states

Taiwanese mother faces deportation

South Australian mother faces deportation after passport mistake

immigration

Graphic art showing Donald Trump (centre) holding up a bible in his right hand. Behind him and facing left is a man in a suit. Behind Trump and facing right is the Pope Leo, wearing red vestments and a white cap

From Jesus imagery to a 'holy war': Does Donald Trump really think he's divine?

war in the middle east

A colourful assortment of fruits and vegetables.

Already under pressure, Australia’s food system could now be in big trouble

war in the middle east

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

SBS News
iOS Android
SBS Audio
iOS Android
SBS On Demand
iOS Android

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world