Inland Rail projects declared Critical State Significant Infrastructure

ARTC applied to the New South Wales Government Department of Planning and Environment to have Inland Rail considered ‘Critical State Significant Infrastructure’ (CSSI).

The New South Wales Government considered that application and determined the project as ‘Critical State Significant Infrastructure’ in addition to its previous recognition as ‘State Significant Infrastructure’ given the size and complexity of the NSW projects.

This CSSI declaration reflects that Inland Rail is considered essential infrastructure by the state of New South Wales.

The declaration does not change the approval pathway that must be followed, but it does allow for some pre-construction activities to progress with approval.

These include minor utilities work, surveys and investigations, or the storage of materials in existing rail facilities along the alignment.

The pre-construction activities are tightly controlled under the declaration by the New South Wales Government.