Inland Rail commemorates Bellata Rail Station’s history

The heritage markers, which commemorate the station’s history since it opened in 1897, were unveiled on Friday, 6 December, at a small ceremony at Sugar’s Park in Bellata, 45 kilometres north of Narrabri.

They were created as a commitment to Narrabri Shire Council as part of the Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project approvals requirements and were designed by heritage specialist consultants Niche in collaboration with Narrabri Shire and local heritage experts.

The unveiling was completed by the Deputy Mayor of Narrabri Shire, Cr Brett Dickinson, and Narrabri Shire Council Director of Planning Donna Ausling, alongside Inland Rail Project Director Narrabri to North Star Peter Borrelli.

Bellata Rail Station, originally opened in 1897 as Woolabra, was renamed Bellata in 1909. Situated 615 kilometres from Sydney, the station played a crucial role in regional connectivity.

Today, Bellata Rail Station is an unstaffed facility featuring a passenger waiting shed and a platform. It is currently served by a single daily Xplorer service, which travels between Moree and Sydney in the morning, with another service returning to Moree in the evening.

Major construction on Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 section was completed in October 2023 following the upgrading of 176km of track along the existing corridor.

Inland Rail completed upgrades to seven bridges, and enhanced safety at 57 level crossings, with 10 passive level crossings upgraded to active with bells, lights, and boom gates.

The project utilised Australian-made materials including more than 290,000 concrete sleepers, and 4700 precast culverts.

Inland Rail is a 1600km freight rail line that will connect Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

Work is well under way in mid-western NSW while sections in southern NSW have received State and Federal Government approvals ahead of construction beginning next year.

In Victoria, work is nearing completion in the northern tranche while the southern tranche will enter construction in 2025.

Peter Borrelli, Inland Rail Project Director Narrabri to North Star, said Inland Rail is proud to take a part in commemorating the history of the Bellata Rail Station and honour a commitment made to Narrabri Shire Council and the local historical community.

“The work we do on this important rail infrastructure is only possible with the help and support of local governments and communities along the alignment, and it has been a privilege to play a part in highlighting the long history of the Bellata Rail Station,” he said.

“The commitment to Narrabri Shire Council was part of the approvals process to enable us to complete Narrabri to North Star Phase 1, which we achieved last year.

“We are demonstrating that we are delivering Inland Rail and we continue to work hard to progress the Narrabri to North Star section.”