Concrete sleepers are laid for the Inland Rail project. Photo: Inland Rail.
The NSW Government has given a thumbs up to the Albury to Illabo section of the 1600-kilometre Inland Rail mega-project that will link Brisbane and Melbourne and pass through the Riverina.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully has formally approved the Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) project and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) aims to begin work early next year.
“Improved Inland Rail will enhance our national freight and supply chain capabilities by connecting and improving routes through rail, roads and ports,” Mr Scully said.
“I look forward to seeing this critical state significant infrastructure project come to life over the next few years and the many benefits it will bring to regional NSW.
“This project has gone through a rigorous planning process with extensive consultation completed to minimise impacts and maximise the project’s opportunities.”
One of seven sections in NSW, Albury to Illabo’s approval follows the green light for the Illabo to Stockinbingal project last month.
The work will include upgrades to rail tracks, footbridges and road bridges, overhead structures, signal structures and level crossings on agricultural land and through Albury, Culcairn, Henty, Yerong Creek, The Rock, Uranquinty, Wagga Wagga and Junee.
Minister for Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty said the project was a “game changer” for rural NSW.
“Regional communities need big developments to keep workers in the bush actively contributing to their communities, with this project providing 770 new jobs,” she said.
“We are proud that NSW continues to help Inland Rail’s essential journey through Australia’s three eastern states.”
The prospect of double-stacked freight trains rolling through the middle of Wagga has been unpopular. Photo: ARTC.
While widespread support remains for Inland Rail and the economic benefits it will bring to the region, the impact of upgrading the existing rail line to direct double-stacked freight trains through the centre of Wagga is controversial.
During the recent local government election campaign, Wagga councillor Amelia Parkins launched a petition calling on the NSW Government and ARTC to listen to the concerns of the community and re-evaluate the proposed route through the city.
Now the Albury to Illabo section has been rubber-stamped by the NSW Government, any last-minute considerations of a bypass seem extremely unlikely.
The approval includes consent conditions that relate to traffic monitoring, transport infrastructure upgrades, and noise and biodiversity management.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said the project would bring jobs, expand regional freight capacity and mean fewer trucks on the road.
“This section of Inland Rail will provide a valuable infrastructure link for the Murray region as it connects with this vital piece of national infrastructure,” she said.
“The Albury to Illabo and Stockinbingal to Parkes sections of the Inland Rail project have already injected more than $4.2 million across these local economies with many businesses receiving a timely economic boost during a cost-of-living crisis.”
This section of rail line will see $300.8 million invested.
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