David Marchant

Recent Speaker

Chief Executive Officer Australian Rail Track Corporation

December 3, 2008

"Resurgence in Rail - Essential for Australia's Economic Progress"

"Resurgence in Rail - Essential for Australia's Economic Progress"

The sheer breadth of our nation firmly establishes land transport as one of the most significant elements affecting the Australian economy.

It is therefore vital that freight rail play a greater role in the Australian logistics framework over the next decade or the national economy will suffer.

All assessments indicate that the market demand for goods transport will double over the next 10 to 15 years. 

On current projections it will be impossible for road infrastructure development to keep pace with this high level of growth.  As it stands, the trucking industry will not be able to cope with the volume of goods that the market will need transported.

Further to this, in the context of the drive by government and business to establish cleaner, more environmentally friendly transport solutions without sacrificing economic performance, more trains and fewer long distance trucks must become the preferred logistics model.

David is the Chief Executive Officer of Australian Rail Track Corporation Limited. 

David was appointed Chief Executive Officer in June 1998.  Prior to this appointment, David has held a range of positions in utility groups and government agencies.

The appointments included:

• Managing Director, Australian Water Technologies Pty Ltd;
• Group General Manager, Sydney Water Corporation Ltd;
• Senior Vice President (Project Development), PG&E Corporation, Australasia;
• Deputy Director-General, NSW Department of Community Services.