Regional communities in northwest NSW, including Moree, Narrabri and Tamworth, have reaped a major economic boost as a result of construction of the Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 (N2NS P1) section of the Inland Rail project, with major construction of the section set to finish next week.
Since starting construction of N2NS Phase 1 in September 2020, Inland Rail has spent around $244 million with 137 local businesses in the region, with nearly $9 million spent with First Nations businesses.
These businesses have provided a range of services including office fitout, accommodation and catering, workforce training, equipment supply, earthworks, signage, waste services, hardware supplies, plant and equipment hire, electrical and plumbing services and fencing.
The construction of N2NS Phase 1 also provided jobs for nearly 700 local residents representing over 30 per cent of the total workforce on the project, with nearly 200 local workers from First Nations communities.
The section of rail between Camurra and North Star is on track to return to service next week, allowing trains to service grain silos at Milguy, Croppa Creek, and North Star after two and a half years.
The N2NS Phase 1 project includes upgrades to 176km of track along the existing corridor from Narrabri to North Star. ARTC’s contractor Trans4m Rail is now undertaking finishing and commissioning works along the alignment.
Lack Group indigenous and social inclusion group manager Scott Willoughby said being a supplier of traffic management services for Inland Rail had added real local benefits by creating new employment opportunities for local communities, indigenous employment and learning new skills.
“Having originated from a small rural community, the Lack family understand the importance of a strong commitment to supporting local communities and the opportunities that projects like Inland Rail bring,” he said.
“Being appointed as a subcontractor and the work generated on the N2NS P1 project has assisted us in enabling a central operational hub as a basis to service the far northern NSW area.
“As a proud indigenous business, we are committed to improving employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Approximately 80 per cent of our employees engaged on the project were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from the local area.”
