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The significant progress achieved on the
Inland Rail project is testament to many years
of hard work and planning. It is exciting to
bring this project to the stage that will help
secure rail as the nation’s mode of choice
in the logistics chain.
—OUR STRATEGIC
FOCUS ON MAKING
RAIL THE NATION’S
MODE OF CHOICE
The Directors commend the business on its
focus in maintaining the strategic direction
of the company in the face of significant
external demands throughout the year.
Pleasingly, our overall customer satisfaction
scores improved over last year.
Listening and acting on customer feedback
and experience is a driving component of
the company’s strategy. A key commitment
has been taking leadership positions on issues
that matter to the industry.
Our decision to invest in an 846 hectare
landholding at Bromelton, near the Queensland
border with NSW not only signals the intergral
part that terminals will play in our overall
strategy, but also reflects our proactive position
and willingness to grasp opportunities that
benefit the rail industry and add value to
the national logistics chain.
We have also been actively engaged with
our customers to identify and grow new
market opportunities for rail. This has been
demonstrated by new services entering
the North South route, new grain service
offerings and volumes, additional interest in
import-export freight and first-time customers
transferring their product from road to rail,
such as in the cotton industry.
These market opportunities are only possible
due to the sustained focus on operational
safety, efficiency and reliability – which the
business has demonstrated.
The company also continues to work
closely with our passenger customers and
stakeholders in areas such as North East
Victoria and the Southern Highlands in NSW
to address concerns around passenger service
performance. We built further understanding
as to how passenger services improvements
might be funded and managed sustainably
over time, to ensure the community receives
the service they desire.
—A CULTURE CHANGE
IN SAFETY LEADING
TO TOP-TIER RESULTS
The business’s focus on delivering on the range
of additional demands while still responding
to customer expectations is perhaps best
defined by the achievements realised in
safety performance of the past year.
Efforts toward strengthening safety
performance were rewarded with the lowest
ever Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate result
which, at 1.07, is reaching the top-tier levels
to which we aspire.
As Chairman, it has been an exciting year
to guide the company and recognise its
many successes.
I would like to thank my fellow Directors, and
on their behalf to thank our customers and
other stakeholders for their support throughout
the year. I would also like to acknowledge
the dedication and commitment of the ARTC
leadership team, so ably led by Mr John
Fullerton.
We are confident and excited about what 2018
brings and the opportunities it will deliver for
our Shareholder, the Australian Government
and for the Australian people.
Helen Nugent AO
Chairman
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