Supplementary Schedule: Detailed Amendments to Existing Legislation
Amendment 1: Fuel Tax Act 2006
- Insert a new subsection into Part 3:
Section 41A: Allocation to Inland Rail Bypass Fund
(1) A specified percentage of annual revenue collected from the excise duty on fuel, equivalent to 1.5% of total excise revenue, shall be allocated to the Inland Rail Bypass Fund
(2) The Inland Rail Bypass Fund, established under the Inland Rail Bypass and Regional Infrastructure Funding Act 2025, is a designated recipient of these funds.
(3) Allocations under this section shall be made annually and are not subject to discretionary reallocation.
Amendment 2: Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Special Account Act 2015
- Amend Section 4 – Definitions:
Include the following definition:
“Inland Rail Bypass Fund” means the fund established under the Inland Rail Bypass and Regional Infrastructure Funding Act 2025 and designated to receive allocations under this Act.
- Insert a new subsection into Section 6:
Subsection (3A): Inland Rail Bypass Fund
(1) A proportion of revenue from the Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Special Account shall be directed to the Inland Rail Bypass Fund.
(2) The amount allocated shall not exceed $250 million annually and shall continue until the project is completed.
Amendment 3: Infrastructure Australia Act 2008
- Amend Section 5 – Functions of Infrastructure Australia:
Add a new subsection:
(1A) The Inland Rail Bypass around Wagga Wagga is declared a project of national significance and shall be prioritised under the national infrastructure priority list.
- Insert a new subsection into Section 5:
Subsection (3A): Reporting on Inland Rail Bypass
(1) Infrastructure Australia must include updates on the Inland Rail Bypass project in its annual report, specifying milestones achieved and funds expended.
Amendment 4: Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995
- Amend Part 3 – Allocation of Funds to Local Governments:
Add a new subsection:
Section 17A: Support for Inland Rail-Impacted Local Governments
(1) Local governments affected by the Inland Rail project, including Wagga Wagga City Council, shall receive priority funding from financial assistance grants to support preparatory works for the bypass.
(2) The proportion allocated shall not exceed 5% of the total assistance fund annually.
Amendment 5: Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) Enabling Legislation
- Insert a new section:
Section 25A: Inland Rail Bypass Priority Directive
(1) The Australian Rail Track Corporation shall prioritise the design and planning of the Inland Rail Bypass as directed under the Inland Rail Bypass and Regional Infrastructure Funding Act 2025.
(2) The Corporation must submit quarterly progress reports to the Federal Minister for Infrastructure.
Amendment 6: National Land Transport Act 2014
- Amend Section 9 – Allocation of Funds:
Add a new subsection:
Subsection (3A): Inland Rail Bypass Project Eligibility
(1) The Inland Rail Bypass is designated as an eligible land transport project and shall receive funding from the National Land Transport Fund.
(2) Funding shall be provided annually, with a minimum allocation of $200 million until the project’s completion.
Amendment 7: Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999
- Amend Part 9 – Approval of Actions:Add a new subsection:
Section 73A: Inland Rail Bypass Controlled Action
(1) The Inland Rail Bypass is declared a controlled action of national significance.
(2) The approval process for the bypass shall be expedited, with assessments conducted within six months of submission.
(3) Environmental safeguards, including floodplain management, shall be incorporated into project requirements.
Amendment 8: Appropriation Acts
- Insert a new line item in Schedule 1 – Budget Allocations:
“Inland Rail Bypass Fund: Initial allocation of $500 million and annual allocations of $150 million until project completion.”
Supplementary Schedule: Implementation of Amendments
These amendments ensure alignment between existing legislative frameworks and the Inland Rail Bypass and Regional Infrastructure Funding Act 2025. They establish the Inland Rail Bypass as a national priority and provide the financial and operational mechanisms to deliver the project efficiently and sustainably.
