WestNet Rail is Australia’s only privately owned below rail operator controlling approximately 5,100 kilometres of rail infrastructure throughout the southern half of Western Australia.

Following the privatisation of Westrail in December 2000 WestNet Rail was granted a 49 year lease by the State Government to manage the Western Australian freight network. This lease saw WestNet Rail handed responsibility for one of Western Australia’s most crucial transport infrastructure networks. WestNet Rail’s responsibilities under this lease include access management, signalling, communications and controls, network safety and rail construction and maintenance.

WestNet Rail is headquartered in Perth, Western Australia and employs around 250 people, with many located throughout regional southwest Western Australia. Several hundred people are also directly engaged in the maintenance of the rail network under a long term agreement with John Holland Group.

WestNet Rail’s team comprises of some of the most experienced and knowledgeable rail industry professionals, whose broad range of expertise is applied through the following business units:
Infrastructure;
Access and Train Control;
Safety and Compliance; and
Commercial and Business Development.

Since privatisation WestNet Rail has experienced strong growth and is now a diverse operation with a strong minerals emphasis, carrying freight for a large variety of customers.

Iron ore, bauxite, alumina and grain make up the majority of materials travelling the rail network.