UGL Regional Linx (UGLRL), a wholly owned subsidiary of UGL and a member of the CIMIC Group, has this week assumed operations and maintenance responsibility for the Country Regional Network (CRN) in regional NSW.
The 10-year contract was awarded to UGLRL early in 2021 and commenced at 11.59pm on January 29th, 2022.
The mobilisation by UGLRL has included the establishment of its operational headquarters in the former Primary Industries administrative building in Kite Street, Orange, NSW.
This facility will also house the Network Control Centre from which all movements on the CRN will be monitored and controlled.
The CRN comprises almost 2,400km of operational rail lines, more than 3,100km of non-operational lines and hundreds of bridges and property assets such as stations.
UGLRL has committed to at least 80% regional employment on the CRN and has been forming its team since securing the contract.
“UGL Regional Linx is very proud to be given the opportunity to take up the CRN contract,” said UGL Managing Director, Doug Moss.
“It provides a crucial link between rural, regional and metropolitan communities and businesses. UGL Regional Linx, through parent company UGL, is ready to roll out its significant skills to operate and maintain the network,” Mr Moss said.
“UGL Regional Linx has done great job in bringing together an experienced and enthusiastic team in the past year, and now we are ready to put this significant mobilisation into action,” said Ian Quarrie, UGL’s Executive General Manager, Transport.
“UGL has a long and distinguished history in the rail industry. Being awarded the opportunity by the NSW Government to invest our skills into maintaining the CRN for the next 10 years - and hopefully beyond - is another string to our bow,” Mr Quarrie said.
“I am very pleased to be leading this dynamic team from here in beautiful Orange,” said John Pistak, CEO, UGL Regional Linx.
“It has been a monumental effort by everyone involved to bring our team together across the network in recent months and the moment has arrived for us to take up the reins for the next 10 years for the people of NSW.
“The size of the CRN alone leaves us in no doubt we have a hugely important job ahead of us, but we know the highly professional team we have put together is more than up for the task,” Mr Pistak said.
Approximately 75 UGLRL employees will operate from the Kite Street Headquarters in Orange.
Other major depots on the CRN will be maintained by UGLRL at Bathurst, Dubbo, and West Wyalong, with satellite depots in Queanbeyan, Narrabri and Tamworth.