Another step forward for Inland Rail with the Narromine to Narrabri (N2N) project receiving environmental approval from the Australian Government. It is welcomed news after a long delay for local communities.
The approval is a key step to getting the Inland Rail project back on track following an independent review of the project, led by Dr Kerry Schott.
“I am pleased to learn that the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has approved this project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999,” said Mark Coulton, Federal Member for Parkes.
“This is a great project, but there has been a lot of uncertainty and unnecessary delay.”
“While this approval for the N2N project is a positive step, I continue to question the Government’s commitment and understanding of the Inland Rail project.”
“The Schott report reinforced that there is a need for this project to be completed.”
“The New South Wales Government approved the N2N project 12 months ago; there has been no need to drag this out.”
The Inland Rail as a project includes 13 stages, some of which are already completed in the New England North West and has seen benefits such as creating hundreds of jobs, increased productivity, and lifted freight efficiencies for farmers.
“It is vital the N2N project commences work as soon as possible so that the positive impacts on my electorate are not lost.”
“I again urge the Government to signal its commitment to this magnificent piece of infrastructure and provide certainty to residents in the Narromine to Narrabri section.”
“It’s time to get on with the job.”
The N2N project will be Inland Rail’s longest stretch of new rail and is a key link in the future Inland Rail supply chain.
When constructed, N2N will link the completed Parkes to Narromine and Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 projects, providing new freight capacity and improved connectivity to ports on the east coast and westwards.
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