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WestNet Rail operates the 5,100km standard, narrow and dual gauge network in the south west of Western Australia. WestNet Rail is responsible for access management, train control and maintenance and capital upgrading of the infrastructure, signalling and communications systems.
With the privatisation of Westrail in December 2000, a 49-year lease to manage the Western Australian intrastate freight rail network was granted to WestNet Rail. A regulatory overview and arbitration mechanism is provided by the Office of the Western Australian Independent Rail Access Regulator (a division of the Economic Regulation Authority), established under the Railways (Access) Act 1998 to ensure access to the network on fair commercial terms.
In February 2006, Babcock & Brown Limited contracted to purchase the business from GWI and Wesfarmers Ltd. The transaction was completed June 2006. WestNet Rail is now controlled by the ASX listed Babcock & Brown Infrastructure Limited, an infrastructure fund with a portfolio of transport and energy distribution assets in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the United States of America.
Some 90 per cent of freight hauled in the state is destined for one of six ports. Between 1999 and 2006, the volume of freight hauled increased from 29 million tonnes to 50 million tonnes.
WestNet Rail is headquartered in Perth and employs approximately 220 people, with the majority located throughout the regional south west of Western Australia. A further 130 - 150 people are directly engaged in the maintenance of the rail network under a long term outsourced maintenance agreement with John Holland.