Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 project update July 2022

We anticipate the project’s EIS will be formally lodged with DPE in September and we will communicate the EIS public exhibition dates as soon as DPE confirms them.

In the lead up to the EIS public exhibition, we are committed to ensuring the community understands how they can provide feedback via submissions to DPE. If you have not already done so, please complete this short 3-question survey to help us understand how you want to be engaged about the EIS.

Early in July, we contributed to a flood relief drive organised by members of the North Star community. Inland Rail donated new sheet sets, quilt covers and pillowcases which were delivered to Lifeline by the North Star resident group. We were proud to make this small contribution alongside the generous donations from locals which will be distributed to flood affected residents in the Northern Rivers region.

Last week, Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 Stakeholder Engagement Lead Isabella Hall joined Inland Rail team members at the NSW Farmers’ Annual Conference in Sydney to check in on what members had to say about Inland Rail. The team took the opportunity to answer questions about the alignment through NSW, provide project progress updates and discuss the benefits some communities are already seeing. Visitors to the Inland Rail stand were especially keen to learn more about the potential supply chain efficiencies once each section of Inland Rail becomes operational.

This month, Inland Rail contractor NGH Consulting will continue undertaking biodiversity surveys within and adjacent to the proposed alignment. The surveys, which were also carried out in 2019, 2020 and earlier this year, will be conducted periodically until the end of 2022 so we can characterise the full range of species and ecosystems surrounding the Phase 2 rail corridor.