Factsheet 4 - The Speedrail Consortium

Speedrail Group participants

The Speedrail Group Pty Ltd is a 50/50 joint venture between ALSTOM, which will provide the TGV system and trains, and Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd, which bring significant expertise in developing and constructing privatised infrastructure.

ALSTOM has annual turnover of more than $25 billion and around 110,000 employees in 60 countries. It was created in 1989 by the merger of GEC Power Systems and Alsthom. ALSTOM Australia Ltd, formerly known as GEC Alsthom Australia, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ALSTOM, employing 2300 people in Australia and New Zealand. It has extensive experience in managing large projects, particularly in energy, transport and industrial systems.

ALSTOM's role in the Speedrail project encompasses:

• equity investment
• project management

• design, manufacture and commissioning of train sets
• electrical power infrastructure
• signalling and control systems
• telecommunications systems
• mechanical and electrical maintenance facilities
• ongoing maintenance services
• creation of the operations company.

The Leighton Group is Australia's largest construction company. Its annual turnover exceeds $3 billion and it employs 12,000 people.

Leighton's role in the Speedrail project will include:

• equity investment
• project management
• design, installation and commissioning of civil engineering infrastructure for what is known as the "permanent way", including earthworks, drainage, bridges and structures, track, landscaping, station buildings and miscellaneous works
• ongoing maintenance of civil infrastructure and track
• creation of the operations company.

Associated companies

ABN AMRO Australasia will provide overall financial packaging advice and act as a lead debt arranger.

Lead banks for the Speedrail proposal are the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and National Australia Bank Ltd.

Other participants include Societe Generale Australia, Warburg Dillon Read.

Qantas Airways Ltd will provide reservations, ticketing, station management and all on-board services for the Speedrail project.