In his role as Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack often included visits to Narrabri Shire in conjunction with Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government, Mark Coulton.

Mr Coulton has highlighted the close and productive collaboration the two enjoy, and Mr McCormack’s active interest in and support for the Narrabri Shire.

In one major outcome, shire council lobbying and Mark Coulton’s advocacy, supported by Mr McCormack, saw a valuable local achievement in rail infrastructure.

In January, the two were in Narrabri to announce $44.7 million for the Australian Rail Track Corporation to upgrade 35 kilometres of the Narrabri to Turrawan line between the Hunter Valley Coal Network and Inland Rail.

The upgrade announcement followed persistent, and ultimately successful, high level lobbying and presentations by mayor Ron Campbell, deputy mayor Cameron Staines and council’s general manager Stewart Todd.

The Narrabri to Turrawan rail upgrade plays into the totality of the shire’s Northern Inland Port concept.

Mr Coulton paid tribute to the ‘great leadership shown by Narrabri Shire Council’ in achieving the successful outcome.

“Narrabri Shire is putting a lot of their planning for the future of their entire shire around the infrastructure that is coming from the Inland Rail and are showing great leadership in their community while they do so,” he said when the upgrade was announced.

“Narrabri to Turrawan is an essential link along this network and this upgrade will allow longer and heavier freight trains travelling from Northern NSW – transporting grain and cotton – to access the Newcastle and Sydney Ports,” Mr McCormack said.

“The 35 km upgrade will improve the rail quality on the Narrabri Coal Junction to Turrawan, as well as the Turrawan to Narrabri North section.

Mr Coulton said the upgrade would maximise the benefits from Inland Rail for the region, particularly businesses relying on the Hunter Valley Coal Network and Newcastle and Sydney ports.

“This will mean trains currently unable to travel on this section between northern NSW and Newcastle port will soon be able to traverse the track, allowing greater freight volumes to travel to Newcastle and Sydney ports – where the majority of grain and cotton from this region is exported.

“The new load specifications are directly compatible with Inland Rail, meaning the Narrabri to Turrawan upgrade will provide a boost for the local farming community and other businesses using the rail line,” Mr Coulton said.

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