Inland Rail’s plans to stretch across regional NSW have taken another step forward after having a 37-kilometer section between Illabo and Stockinbingal approved.
The Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) project was approved by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully earlier on Friday (6 September), allowing for the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to move closer to beginning construction by late 2024.
ARTC will construct up to 39 km of single-track railway for the double-stacked freight trains that will soon travel through the South Western Slopes of the Riverina.
Regional NSW and Western NSW Minister Tara Moriarty said Inland Rail promised to be a game changer for people across rural NSW.
“Regional communities need big developments to keep workers in the bush and actively contribute to their communities,” Ms Moriarty said.
“We look forward to Inland Rail continuing its essential journey throughout the state.”
The Illabo to Stockinbingal connection is one of seven sections traversing inland NSW. The Inland Rail line will include a crossing loop at Bethungra and connect with the Stockinbingal to Parkes and Lake Cargelligo lines so that goods can also travel along the Main Southern Railway from Sydney to Albury.
The new section will connect to the Inland Rail’s Albury to Illabo proposal in the south and the Stockinbingal to Parkes proposal in the north.
The Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will now review the NSW approval assessment, and the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Water will determine the project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
If approved by the Australian Government, work is expected to begin later this year and be completed in 2027.
Mr Scully said Inland Rail needed the cooperation of the three states it spanned, so it was great to see regional NSW leading the charge with the latest approval.
“Planning approval is a significant step for this transformative project to enhance our freight and supply chain capabilities,” he said.
“Each section of Inland Rail is a valuable link in the chain of this important national infrastructure.
“Inland Rail promises to be a game changer for inland communities across rural NSW. Once complete, we will be able to move goods much more efficiently to both Melbourne and Brisbane.”
