Inland Rail on the fast track

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton visited Narrabri on Wednesday to announce an investigation to fast track the opportunities for three communities to access the benefits of ‘heavier, faster, and more efficient trains of Inland Rail’.

Mr Coulton said investigations will be undertaken to identify and assess the cost and benefits of improving the road/rail interface at Narrabri, upgrading the Gilgandra-Coonamble line and enhancing the connection at Baradine’s grain silos to facilitate better connections between local communities and Inland Rail.

“With connection comes opportunity,” said Mr Coulton.

“We have fast tracked work to identify potential improvements for these sections, and to explore opportunities to improve how this part of the regional rail network intersects with Inland Rail and the wider national freight supply chain.”

“We have done this to ensure these opportunities – and Inland Rail – can benefit local communities sooner rather than later,” said Mr Coulton on Wednesday at a press conference in Narrabri regarding three projects along the Inland Rail corridor.

Inland Rail project is made up of 13 individual projects and spans more than 1700 kilometres, it is the largest freight rail infrastructure project in Australia.

“The Inland Rail is basically just a spine – that’s what the Federal Government is constructing – and what comes off it, is really up to the business cases and the opportunities that arise.”

Mr Coulton said there’s a ‘misconception’ that Inland Rail is actually a train.

“Trains will run on the Inland Rail but it’s not a train,” he said.

Mr Coulton said the investigations into the business cases would be undertaken by the Department of Infrastructure as part of a $44 million program.

“There will be other announcements to come, so these ones have been identified as being fast tracked because they’re areas of concern,” he said.

Mr Coulton said the Inland Rail project offered ‘a real opportunity to change the way rural economies operate, by better facilitating the flow of produce out and stimulating the flow of investment back in to the regions.

“It is clear that in order for communities like Baradine, Coonamble, Narrabri and Gilgandra to make the most of this major project, we need to make sure the local connections and interfaces are in place to facilitate the best future for these communities,” he said.

In the press conference, Mr Coulton addressed issues raised by the Narrabri community regarding the Inland Rail project.

“We want to make sure that we future proof it and I know one of the concerns that Narrabri has had is that they can’t possibly see that in 20 or 30 years time what industry will be here in Narrabri.

“It’s very, very important that those double stacked containers can actually go north and south from Narrabri, and not just assume that we are going to be sending grain or cotton to Newcastle or Brisbane, there might be a factory here sending things to Perth or Brisbane or wherever.”

Mr Coulton elaborated on some of the infrastructure problems faced by Narrabri.

“One is obviously that the trains will be coming north through town, the other is the overpass on the edge of Narrabri is not capable of taking double stack containers.

“The issue with the current location and moving north is that not long after the Inland Rail crosses over that line, it starts to be elevated to get over the Namoi floodplain and ultimately the Kamilaroi Highway, and so the space to put a connectivity loop up on stilts would be a very, very expensive business, and so this is to look at other ways of making sure that connectivity is there so that double stacked containers can come out of the Narrabri Port and go north or south.

“With the focus on recycling in Australia at the moment and the possibility of recyclables, which will need to be double stacked, we need to make sure we look at that access.”
Mr Coulton also responded to concerns that Moree was going to see greater benefits from the Inland Rail project compared to Narrabri and insisted both towns could prosper under the project.

“It’s like having twins. I love them both equally and there’s no need to be moving up and down the track to see if one’s getting more advantage than the other.

“The success of what happens at Narrabri is not detrimental to the success of what happens at Moree.”

Narrabri Shire Council Mayor, Cathy Redding attended Mr Coulton’s press conference and she welcomed the announcement.

Cr Redding said it would ensure that the Northern NSW Inland Port would be the key freight and logistics centre of Northern NSW.

“Narrabri Shire certainly welcomes the news that Mark has brought to us today, on having a business case funded out of the $44 million to ensure that we can have connectivity to the north and south, from our Northern NSW Inland Port,” said Cr Redding.

“I do thank Mark for listening to our concerns.”
Cr Redding said the Northern NSW Inland Port would be situated seven kilometres from Narrabri, and is a 240 hectare site that will attract 1000 new jobs to the Narrabri region.

“We thank the Federal Government for its realisation and support that the Northern NSW Inland Port has the potential not only to dominate northern NSW freight and logistics, but also play a significant role in national supply chains.

“Council looks forward to working with the Federal Government on ensuring that the rail interfaces at Narrabri and the Northern NSW Inland Port are as effective and efficient as possible,” said Cr Redding.

Council’s general manager, Stewart Todd said interest in the Inland Port has ‘sky-rocketed’.

“The Inland Port is the prime location for any and all business that operate on and require a strong and efficient freight supply chain,” said Mr Todd.

Council said the Northern NSW Inland Port has and continues to attract significant investment interest with the company Perdaman announcing a $1.2 billion investment, a fertiliser plant, at the Port if the Narrabri Gas Project is approved.

The Gilgandra Shire Mayor Doug Batten also attended the press conference.

“The impacts on our farmers are quite drastic, and we’ve been working with those farmers trying to get the best outcome for them, with the actual land acquisitions and the proposed site,” said Mr Batten.

“Gilgandra Shire is one of the most heavily impacted in regard to greenfield construction.

“There’s a bit of angst in the community.

“So we welcome the announcement and we look forward to moving forward with it.”

“Projects of this magnitude don’t come without difficulties, that’s why it’s taken a hundred years to build this but today’s announcement will make sure that communities along the line, are going to get the benefit of that track,” added Mr Coulton.

“We can’t make it rain, however by investing in nation-building projects like Inland Rail, we are forging a future of stronger and more resilient regional and rural communities, capable of bouncing back when the season does turn around.”