Inland Port steams ahead

The Northern NSW Inland Port continues to steam ahead.

“The Narrabri Shire Council driven project is destined to be the premier manufacturing, production, industrial and logistics site in Northern NSW,” said the mayor Cathy Redding.

“Council has purchased 240ha of land and is currently preparing a land rezoning proposal.

“As part of the rezoning process, the Council has been conducting stakeholder engagement since January 2020, with landowners adjacent to the subject land.

“There are eight strategic environmental and planning studies underway, and with all fieldwork for these studies completed, the Council is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the final studies,” said Cr Redding.

“The $5.8 million Culgoora Road upgrade that has been possible through the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Roads program, will link freight movements from the west directly to the Northern NSW Inland Port.

“Having this project completed before the Inland Port is constructed had been considered crucial in the early stages of Council’s strategic planning.

“Council has been actively seeking grant funding to support the development of the project and associated surrounding infrastructure improvements, and has so far received over $8.5 million,” Cr Redding added.

“Council has been working collaboratively with the Federal and State governments including key staff such as the NSW chief planner, with whom Council has engaged since August 2019, on the appropriate land use planning pathways.
“A further key relationship Council has fostered is with the Office of Regional Development regarding land acquisition and also incentives available for potential investors.

“The project is progressing as planned and Council is continuing to receive interest from prospective investors.

“Narrabri Shire Council is definitely moving in the right direction to achieve the community target of economic diversification.

“This monumental project is gaining the attention of various levels of government and private industry professionals, largely due to the innovative approach the Shire Council is taking to leverage Inland Rail opportunities and our strategic location,” the mayor said.

“With the Northern NSW Inland Port having the potential to host 950 jobs and increase the Narrabri Shire population by seven per cent, Council is excited to continue planning and moving this project forward for the long term benefit of the community.”