Proud to keep the Hunter moving

About ARTC in the Hunter Valley

We are a company that operates, manages and maintains approximately 8,500 kilometres of track right across Australia.

Today, the Hunter Valley rail network is one the busiest and most diverse networks in the country. On an average day over 250 trains traverse the network. While coal services are our primary customers in terms of volume of train services and tonnages; we operate a mixed-use, open-access rail network which also supports grain, general and bulk freight services as well as passenger service customers.

The Hunter Valley network is approximately 1,400km in length from the Port of Newcastle, to Muswellbrook where it spans west along the Ulan line and toward Parkes as well as north of Muswellbrook beyond Narrabri toward Moree and the Queensland border.

We’ve been operating in the Hunter Valley and Central and North West NSW for over 15 years and in that time, we’ve invested around $1.7 billion to make the network one of the most modern and efficient railways in Australia and around the world.

To keep it running safely and reliably, every year we invest around $220 million in ensuring the network stays at a world-class standard, directly employing more than 450 people in Hunter and regional NSW communities including Newcastle, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Scone, Gunnedah, Binnaway, Dubbo and Narrabri. Many of our people are working from our Provisioning Centres and Sub-Provisioning Centres.

Case Study – Contributing to Local Growth – Werris Creek

 

About Trackwork

With 250 trains a day operating on your rail network and millions of tonnes of freight being carried every year by rail rather than on local roads, it’s essential to keep that rail network safe and reliable.

You can read more about how and why we do track work on our community page as well as see a schedule of upcoming works planned on our track work calendar, or download our community newsletter.

Our Hunter Valley team oversees around $220 million in operational expenditure each year (e.g. ongoing maintenance, track renewals and upgrades).

A significant component of this investment in the rail network relates to major maintenance works, mostly delivered during track ‘closedown’ periods for three days.

During these periods we invest approximately $20m – $30m in essential works, which sees the deployment of an additional workforce of more than 1000 contractors right through the Hunter Valley.

The local economic benefit of these periods is substantial. For example, during a recent maintenance shutdown we delivered over $4 million of work in the Gunnedah region alone – with much of the material (e.g. quarry materials) and labour locally sourced, delivering direct economic benefits to local businesses like accommodation providers, service stations, cafes, hardware stores and supermarkets.

 

About our Hunter Valley team

Nearly all of our Hunter Valley team live and work locally, making them proud members of communities right along the railway line from Newcastle to Muswellbrook, to Gunnedah, as well to Central and North West NSW.

It’s also why our team cares a lot about the role our business plays in the regions in which we operate, and why we support local organisations and initiatives that help create a strong and vibrant community.

 

 

The Hunter Valley Rail Network

The heavy haul coal network underpins much of what we do, but thanks to the investment of the coal industry into these rail lines – we can leverage that rail network and offer other freight movers significant efficiencies and opportunity to haul their products, such as grain and general freight, much more efficiently, safely and quickly. This helps takes freight off the roads and makes freight transport cheaper for farmers, giving regional businesses new domestic and export market access through our rail corridor.

 

Investment in the Community

We are happy to consider community investment opportunities and partnership proposals – but we do favour applications that relate to the communities in which we operate and are in line with our company values. We typically assess these twice yearly, around January and then again in July.

For more information, please complete this form.

ARTC Junior Landcare donation to Metford Primary, one of 29 schools to receive grant funding
Visitors of Maitland Steamfest watch one of our rail tamping demonstrations
The Maitland Provisioning Centre team on site at Maitland Steamfest
ARTC Infrastructure Maintainer Ryan explains the special  vehicles used to maintain our network at Agquip in Gunnedah
Our Gunnedah Provisioning centre present interactive rail displays to the community at the 2018 Agquip event
ARTC is a proud supporter of the Central Northern Junior Rugby Union Kookaburras

 

Community Fast facts

In the last year we’ve supported a range of initiatives through the Hunter Valley and into Central and North West NSW:

  • Supported 29 schools with Junior Landcare grants
  • Supported Landcare drought relief and ‘buy-a-bale’
  • Reached nearly 1,000 students with rail safety presentations
  • Supported TfNSW’s delivery of passenger rail services to regional communities and level crossing safety awareness campaigns
  • Supported National Graffiti Removal Day
  • Supported Aboriginal rugby league and central west NSW rugby union
  • Support to Blazeaid
  • Provided support to dozens of community health and wellness initiatives including support of childcare groups, mental health causes, children’s health and maternity wards

We also support and participate in a range of community events, including over the last 12 months:

  • Maitland Steamfest (including significant in-kind support)
  • Narromine Show
  • Peak Hill Show
  • Gunnedah AgQuip
  • Muswellbrook soapbox derby

Working with us

We are always looking for great people that are passionate about rail to join our team and help us keep the Hunter moving. Follow our LinkedIn page to stay up-to-date with different opportunities and news about ARTC and visit our careers page to find out more about working for us and our current job opportunities.

 

 

 

 

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