volumes in the Hunter Valley continue to
grow. The amount of coal moved by rail on our
Hunter Valley network increased by 16 per cent
to 150 million tonnes during the year and
our objective is to ensure our ongoing capital
investment program in the Hunter Valley will
align rail capacity with demand.
During the year, $318 million was invested in
the Hunter Valley network, which included the
commissioning of the Maitland to Minimbah
Third Track, Nundah Bank Third Track and a
number of loops and upgrades.
In June we published a further update of our
Hunter Valley Corridor Capacity Strategy after
extensive industry consultation and throughout
the year we have continued to work closely
with coal producers, rail and terminal operators
and the Hunter Valley Coal Chain Coordinator
to improve the performance of the coal chain.
This has included implementing a range
of operational initiatives to ensure a more
effective supply chain.
In the longer term, capacity can only expand if
the fourth terminal is constructed. While the
Port Waratah Coal Service does not intend to
proceed to construction at this stage due to
weak market conditions it will continue to pur-
sue the environmental approvals for the project to
ensure that it can be developed to a faster time-
frame in the event that coal demand strength-
ens and higher coal volumes are required.
OUTLOOK
The year ended 30 June 2013 was a year in
which we strengthened our operating and
financial position and continued our focus
on our customers to position rail as a more
compelling transport option.
Whilst the outlook for coal and the general
economy remains subdued in the short term,
ARTC remains confident that when conditions
improve it will be able to leverage off the
substantial investments that have been
undertaken on our network.
In an environment where carbon emissions,
road congestion, public safety and the need for
more cost effective transport options are part
of public debate and discussion, the future for
rail is positive.
John Caldon
Chairman
John Fullerton
Chief Executive Officer
There is growing business
and community recognition
that rail is a transport mode
that simply makes sense for
a country like Australia.
In the coming year ARTC will be capitalising
on this sentiment to grow our business further.
To help drive this we’ll be creating an exciting,
modern vision for the Company that will rally
our people around the goal of transforming
ARTC into a customer focused business and
we’re excited about working more closely with
our customers to pursue every opportunity to
grow the volume of freight on rail.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank our Shareholders, the
Australian Government, for their continued
strong support.
As always we thank our customers for their
business and reaffirm our commitment to
creating value and transforming ARTC into a
customer driven organisation.
Likewise, we acknowledge the support of our
suppliers and contractors and look forward
to continuing to work with them to achieve
mutual value and our business objectives.
Together we want to again thank the
contribution of the Board of Directors, senior
management and all ARTC employees for their
much valued contribution to the Company.
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