This 39km section of Inland Rail connects North Star in New South Wales to the Queensland Rail South Western System on the NSW/QLD border.
The North Star to NSW/Queensland Border (NS2B) project consists of upgrading approximately 27km of non-operational rail corridor and constructing 12km of new track. This includes approximately 30km in NSW and 9km in Queensland.
Following the NSW Government approval in February 2023, the project was assessed by the Australian Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The project was approved by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) on 21 July 2023.
A copy of the approvals is available on the DCCEEW website by searching EPBC Referral No 2018/8222
The project is currently in the reference design stage. During this time, we are conducting various studies and consulting with landowners and other key stakeholders to better understand potential issues and opportunities around the Macintyre River crossing.
Snapshot
Type
Upgrade and new track
Length
12km new track
27km upgraded track
Anticipated works
Building new track across the Macintyre River and upgrading existing track
Status
Project map
The route tracks from North Star across the Macintyre River then joins the existing QR South Western Rail line.

North Star to NSW/QLD Border project fact sheet
Fact sheet for the North Star to Border project.