The Morrison Government has appointed Barry Broe as the new Chief Executive Officer for the National Faster Rail Agency (NFRA).
Mr Broe has spent over 40 years in major project, transport and public sector infrastructure delivery including over 17 years at executive or CEO level. He has direct local and international experience in rail and planning.
He has held senior executive roles with Brisbane Infrastructure, Transport for London and Queensland Transport. Mr Broe will serve as CEO for an initial five-year term.
The NFRA was created in July this year to support the delivery of the Government's 20-year Faster Rail Plan, which includes $2 billion for faster rail between Melbourne and Geelong and eight regional to capital city business cases along the eastern seaboard.
Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge congratulated Mr Broe on his appointment.
"With vast experience in transport infrastructure he will bring expertise and leadership to the NFRA which has a pivotal role at the forefront of faster rail in this country," Mr Tudge said.
The NFRA will work closely with state and territory governments on opportunities to develop rail infrastructure between major cities and key regional centres in order to advance social, economic and population outcomes.
Mr Tudge said the delivery of the Faster Rail Plan was critical to its plan for Australia's future population.
"Faster rail networks are crucial to easing congestion pressures in our cities and shaping Australia's future as our population grows," Mr Tudge said.
"Investing in faster rail will create jobs and bust congestion, giving time back to commuters and enabling more people to live in our regions while working in our cities."
The National Faster Rail Agency will be supported by an Expert Panel that will play an important role on providing advice on faster rail related matters including existing faster rail project business cases, new potential faster rail corridors, future developments across networks and infrastructure requirements and priorities.
Mr Broe will commence in the positon on January 6.
