Narrabri to North Star Inland Rail work begins

Construction has officially started on the Narrabri to North Star section of the Inland Rail.

“We keep getting asked when construction is going to start, and it’s finally here,” said ARTC Inland Rail director of planning, communications and stakeholder relations, Rebecca Pickering.

On Monday, April 19, Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton visited Gurley to make the announcement.

He was joined by council members from surrounding towns, including Narrabri mayor Ron Campbell, as well as project officials, machine operators, engineers and other construction team members.

“It’s really important that we’ve had the engagement of the local communities and their councils, because sometimes a plan that looks good in a boardroom can have unforeseen local consequences,” Mr Coulton said.

“So, I’m very grateful for the local mayors’ help in getting this project up and running.”

Ms Pickering agreed, saying that local feedback had helped “minimise the impacts and maximise the opportunities for these communities”.

Phase one of the project, the Narrabri to North Star section, will run for 171 kilometres and cost $700 million to construct.

“It’s an incredible project in its own right, as well as being one section of the 1700 kilometre track, which is why we’re keen to get this part completed quickly,” Ms Pickering said.

“That way, this huge, productive region can reap the benefits of the Narrabri to North Star as soon as possible, even before the rest of the Inland Rail is completed.”

To make way for this section, 9500 sleepers and 11 kilometres of track have already been removed.

The new line will have the ability to take heavier, taller carriages and will be better equipped to handle flooding, according to Ms Pickering.

“We’re upgrading the civil structures, so the embankment will be built up higher, also making it flood-proof,” she said.

“And the stronger foundations will also mean trains will be able to double stack containers.”

Inland Rail senior project manager, Narrabri to North Star (phase 1), Tim Hale, said that there has been a lot of hydrology studies done into improving drainage and flood-proofing.

“The existing track has already been washed out three times this year, so its replacement is designed to avoid such problems from occurring,” he said.

Mr Hale also explained that the earthworks component of construction includes bridge demolition and drainage replacements.

“We’re replacing seven bridges and around 300 culverts,” he said.

“During this earthworks phase, we’ll be blending the existing materials for sustainability and cost-saving reasons.”

There are currently 60 tenders out for this phase of construction, with 117 local people already employed, and Ms Pickering says “this number is growing every day”.

And Mr Coulton is encouraging even more workers to get involved.

“Of those already employed, 26 per cent are local people, 15 per cent are indigenous and 29 per cent are women,” he said.

“But this project will continue to create many more jobs, with around 500 in total over the construction period.”

Cr Campbell echoed this attitude, asking more locals to tender their interest.

“One challenge we do have is the employment numbers,” he said.

“We want to encourage people to engage and come on board to work for the Inland Rail project.”

“Employing local people and local companies is the best way to move forward on that challenge.”

Cr Campbell said he sees the Inland Rail project as an opportunity for towns like Narrabri to “reinvent ourselves” by taking advantage of the new technology.

“I’m very excited about the prospects for Narrabri and the surrounding regions,” he said.

Mr Coulton also spoke on the advantages a project of this size will have on the rural communities involved.

“The benefits of the Inland Rail will be felt in the long-term, but the initial boost this construction provides for regional towns is immense,” Mr Coulton said.

“And, now that construction has started, we’re going to see a lot of change happen quite quickly.”