Planning approval documents
ARTC has received planning approval from the Australian and NSW Governments for Inland Rail’s Narrabri to North Star project. We have developed a range of documents for managing the design and construction of the Narrabri to North Star project.
Environmental Impact Statement
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 was on public display in late 2017. During this time the community had the opportunity to make a submission about the project to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) as part of its assessment of the project.
The EIS for this second phase is expected to be on public display in mid-2021.
Federal planning approval
The Narrabri to North Star project was approved by the Department of Agriculture Water and the Environment on 1 October 2020 under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: Narrabri to North Star decision on approval of action: Approved with conditions.
State planning approval
The Narrabri to North Star project was approved by DPIE on 13 August 2020. The following documents support the state planning approval.
- DPIE Conditions of Approval of Inland Rail – Narrabri to North Star Phase 1.
- Addendum Biodiversity Report – July 2020 update
Further Phase 1 project applications and documents are available on the DPIE Major Projects website.
Environment protection licences
- Environment Protection Licence issued to Trans4m Rail by the NSW Environment Protection Authority
- Environment Protection Licence issued to the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) by the NSW Environment Protection Authority

Communication strategy and complaint management process
This document outlines our approach to working with the community and how we will manage and respond to any enquiries or complaints that we receive, as we build the Narrabri to North Star section of Inland Rail.
Compliance monitoring and auditing
This Department of Agriculture Water and the Environment fact sheet provides an overview of the compliance monitoring and auditing program in place for projects referred under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
Site Establishment Management Plan
This document details the strategy for managing all potential environmental impacts for all site establishment works associated with Trans4m Rail’s Construction Ancillary Facilities, intersections and access road. The Plan includes measures to avoid or minimise potential impacts.
Construction Environmental Management Plan
The Construction Environmental Management Plan and sub-plans describe how construction activities will be managed to minimise any impacts to the surrounding environment and community.
Details the key management and mitigation measures that will be implemented by Trans4m Rail in order to minimise and manage the potential impacts from construction traffic.
Details the key mitigation measures that will be implemented by Trans4m Rail in order to minimise and manage any flood impacts during construction.
Details the key mitigation measures that will be implemented by Trans4m Rail in order to minimise and manage the noise and vibration impacts during construction.
Describes the key mitigation measures that will be implemented in order to minimise and manage the soil and water impacts associated with construction of Phase 1 of the Narrabri to North Star Project.
Details the key mitigation measures that will be implemented by Trans4m Rail in order to minimise and manage construction impacts on Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage items during construction.
Details the key management and mitigation measures that will be implemented by Trans4m Rail in order to minimise and manage the potential construction impacts on flora and fauna during construction.