The Australian Government has approved Inland Rail’s Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 (N2NS Phase 2) after assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
All New South Wales sections of the project have now formally been given the green light.
N2NS Phase 2 comprises an upgrade of about 12 kilometres of existing rail track and formation across the Gwydir Valley floodplain, north of Moree, as well as the construction of approximately 1.6 kilometres of greenfield rail track, to bypass the existing Camurra Hairpin.
The proposal also includes the construction of a new 1.3-kilometre spur to maintain connection to the Weemelah line.
Key elements will include new and upgraded rail alignments, upgraded rail bridges, extra culverts across floodplains and waterways, upgraded level crossings and earthworks.
With primary regulatory approvals now in place, Inland Rail will progress design work for the project in partnership with Arcadis BG&E.
Trains can now travel faster on parts of the rail line between Narrabri and North Star, which have already been upgraded as part of the Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 works, which were completed in 2023.
Inland Rail is a 1600-kilometre freight rail artery that will link Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Future decisions on Inland Rail north of Narromine are currently under consideration by the Australian Government.
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