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 and Environment (DPE) as part of its assessment of the project.

The EIS for Phase 2 was on public display in October and November 2022 and is currently progressing through the approvals process.

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 1999Narrabri to North Star decision on approval of action: Approved with conditions.

State planning approval

The Narrabri to North Star project was approved by DPE on 13 August 2020. The following documents support the state planning approval.

Further Phase 1 project applications and documents are available on the NSW Government’s Major Projects website.

Environment protection licences (EPLs)

Croppa Creek Bridge with rehabilitated riverbank and Koala trees in the background

Sustainability policy

Inland Rail is committed to working sustainably on all projects along the alignment, as outlined in the Environment and Sustainability Policy. As such, we require our contractors to make the same commitment.

Workers are seen at the construction site of the Inland Rail between Parkes and Narromine, New South Wales.

Technical reports

This report identifies and illustrates the location of all public level crossings and provides details such as the treatment required, measures to avoid short stacking, justification of any closures and assessment of road risks.

This report assesses the traffic impacts of the N2NS project to satisfy the Ministers Conditions of Approval. It includes a risk assessment of connectivity issues with local emergency services and other stakeholders and consultation with the wider community.

This report assesses flood behaviour within the local catchments crossed by the project, within the Namoi, Gwydir and Macintyre River basins, including estimates of flood levels and velocities for existing and design conditions.

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 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.

Details the key mitigation measures that details the key mitigation measures that will be implemented by Trans4m Rail in order to minimise and manage construction impacts on heritage items during construction of the N2NS project.

Communication strategy and engagement

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.

This document describes how the project will identify and engage with key stakeholders during construction, and how the project will receive community feedback and keep the community informed of construction progress.

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.