Aussie operator TasRail hires penguin expert ahead of coastal works

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A TasRail locomotive passes along a coastline in Tasmania. Credit: TasRail.
A TasRail locomotive passes along a coastline in Tasmania. Credit: TasRail.
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Australian train operator TasRail has released a request for tender for coastal erosion and landslip works in north west Tasmania.

As part of the state’s ‘buy local’ policy, the tenderers must demonstrate that their bids will support Tasmania’s local economy.

Ahead of works on the Western and Southern lines, the government-owned railway company has hired a penguin specialist from Birdlife Tasmania to make recommendations on the management of existing penguin colonies.

The closing date for applications for the request for tender is September 22 with work expected to begin at 13 sites in November 2017.


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The Australian and Tasmanian governments are co-investing $119.6 million in infrastructure to revitalise rail freight in the island state – which this work is a part of – with priority sections being upgraded in the run up to 2019.

TasRail CEO Damien White said: “This project is all about protecting our natural environment and working with the community to ensure much-needed works can occur to prevent coastal erosion and landslip near Tasmania’s rail corridor.

“This project will reduce the risk of track obstruction, improve network reliability and assist in the reduction of ongoing maintenance costs, enhancing TasRail’s capacity to deliver freight in a timely and safe manner on behalf of its customers.”


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