The body responsible for building the Inland Rail is searching for a new leader following the departure of its acting chief.

Ms Pickering joined Inland Rail in 2018 and was appointed acting chief executive in July 2021, leading  the company through the government’s independent review which slammed the Australian Rail and Track Corporation ATRC for poor governance and project management.

She also helped implement the recommendations of the review, including creating anew Inland Rail subsidiary to take over delivery of the project form the ARTC.

Author of the Inland Rail report Dr Kerry Schott acknowledged the assistance of Ms Pickering through the review saying she had been “an Acting CEO role for far too long and should be commended for keeping the project moving through this difficult period”.

Inland rail confirmed on October 18 that Ms Pickering had left the position after two years in the role.

Chair of the Inland Rail Board Chair Robert Rust will serve as interim CEO until the position is filled.

Inland Rail says it is currently recruiting a new Chief Executive and says interim arrangements will remain until the position is filled.

The 1,600km freight rail project will connect Melbourne to Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

Construction started in 2018 and the project will be deliverded in a series of stages. Construction between Beveridge in Victoria and Parkes in NSW is being prioritised and is on track to be completed in 2027.