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EIS for largest greenfield section of Inland Rail released for comment

Narromine to Narrabri

The Narromine to Narrabri (N2N) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been released for public comment.

The document covers the longest section of track of the Inland Rail project, 306km of new rail between Narromine and Narrabri in the NSW Central West, via Burroway, Curban, Mt Tenandra, and Baradine.

The public is available to comment until Sunday, 7 February 2021.

Once the consultation period is over the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment will assess the project, either recommending changes or approving the project.

Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Michael McCormack said that the stage is a critical link in the wider project and that the project would get it right by listening to the local community.

“The Narromine to Narrabri section is the longest stretch of new track that will connect the 1,700-kilometre Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail, transforming the way freight is moved across Australia,” he said.

“This 306-kilometre section of new rail infrastructure is essential to deliver the fast, lower-cost and reliable Inland Rail freight Australia needs to meet the growing freight challenge and we must deliver it by listening to and respecting those people who call this land home.”

The N2N section has been the most controversial leg of the project through NSW. In July, the NSW Farmers Association and the Country Women’s Association of NSW began legal action over the hydrology modelling for the section.

McCormack said that submissions made in the EIS process would inform the final design of the route.

“Submissions made through this important regulatory approval process will help Federal and State environment departments to better understand the views of the community and inform their assessment of the project.”

Locals will be able to attend information sessions at Narrabri, Baradine, Coonamble, Curban, Gilgandra, and Narromine.