Local communities and stakeholders of the transformational Inland Rail project are invited to submit feedback on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Narromine to Narrabri (N2N) section released today for public exhibition.
Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Michael McCormack said the release of the EIS for public exhibition marked a significant milestone in the Inland Rail project and would ensure community members can have their say.
"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," Mr McCormack 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.
"I encourage the communities and businesses of Narromine, Curban, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Narrabri and all those in between to provide feedback on the EIS for the N2N section of Inland Rail.
"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."
Mr McCormack said Inland Rail is essential to Australia's economic recovery from COVID-19.
"Inland Rail's construction between Parkes and Narromine has already brought significant opportunities to regional New South Wales, delivering almost $110 million in local stimulus and providing work for more than 1800 people," he said.
Local member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton said that the EIS on public exhibition provided an important opportunity for community members to share input into the Narromine to Narrabri (N2N) section of Inland Rail.
"The EIS will provide detailed information to the public about the project including the environmental, economic and social impacts of Inland Rail, and I urge community members to provide their extremely valuable input," Minister Coulton said.
"The EIS on exhibition is informed by detailed hydrology, land impact assessments and technical studies carried out by the ARTC and specialist consultants, and is the result of years of planning and community consultation."
Minister Coulton said he is pleased communities in the Parkes electorate can attend upcoming information sessions at Narrabri, Baradine, Coonamble, Curban, Gilgandra and Narromine, with an additional option to contribute via an online session.
The New South Wales Department of Planning, Industry and Environment released the N2N EIS today (8 December) as part of the planning approval process.
The public exhibition of the EIS will remain open for an extended period of eight weeks, until 7 February 2021.
