The Narrabri to North Star section of the Inland Rail began in Gurley, south of Moree, just over 100 days ago.

Construction commenced on Monday, April 19, and the project has continued according to changing COVID-19 restrictions.

Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, says the lifting of lockdown has come at the perfect time.

“It’s exciting to see so much activity happening along the rail line, particularly near Gurley, south of Moree,” Mr Coulton said.

“Especially since, following the recent lockdown, Moree is again bustling with people involved in this once-in-a-generation project.”

Even amid these varying COVID rules, the Inland Rail team has been working hard as they near the completion of this section of the project.

A number of major milestones have already been reached, with more than 80km of track stripped, including the removal of 103,300 timber, steel and concrete sleepers.

Five bridges have also been demolished, with one new bridge completed so far.

Around 100 tonnes of scrap steel have been recycled in the process, and almost 10,000 metres of new rail installed.

There’s hopes the Gurley trackwork will be finalised in time for grain harvest, opening the opportunity for produce from Moree to be transported to the port.

Once this section is complete, construction will move north of Moree, further towards North Star.

The Inland Rail team has employed a range of people throughout the project, from the Narrabri shire and beyond, with a strong focus on diversity.

A total of 164 residents in the project’s LGAs, have worked on the rail so far, including 47 local indigenous residents and 61 women.

Young people are also benefitting from the project’s diversity efforts; 91 workers are aged 25-years or under and 11 are employed in trainee roles.

A variety of businesses have gotten involved with the Inland Rail where possible, too.

Since September 9, 2020, 266 businesses have supplied goods and services to the project.

One-hundred-and-ten of these are local businesses, operating in the LGAs relevant to the project.

So far, a total of $26.5m has been spent with local businesses in the region, as well as $3m devoted to indigenous businesses across Australia.

Mr Coulton said this investment in local people and the region’s economy is great to see.

“So far more than 160 locals have been employed and 110 local businesses have supplied to the project, which is fantastic and provides a welcome economic boost to the communities of Narrabri, Bellata, Moree and North Star at a time when it’s most needed,” he said.

“The Inland Rail is a gamer-changer for regional Australia and the whole country, and I look forward to seeing it progress further.”

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