State approval for Inland Rail section, federal determination now needed

The Narromine to Narrabri section of the Inland Rail has received one of the two approvals needed for the project to go ahead.

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has recommended the Narromine to Narrabri section of the Inland Rail be approved subject to conditions.

Minister for Planning Anthony Roberts adopted the department’s recommendations and signed the instrument of approval.

While the state government has ultimately approved the construction of 306 kilometres of new rail track, the development has now been referred to the federal government.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will now consider the project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

In its assessment report, the state government department said the environmental impacts of construction and operation are considered acceptable, subject to implementation of appropriate mitigation and management measures, and compliance with the department’s recommended conditions of approval.

“The project is in the public interest by improving freight rail capacity and reliability, and encouraging a freight mode shift from road to rail,” the determination report noted.

“It provides benefits for rural and regional NSW by providing enabling infrastructure for economic development, including the Narrabri Special Activation Precinct.

“The proponent has identified environmental management measures that it has committed to applying.

“Residual impacts are acceptable when managed through recommended conditions and the proponent’s commitments, so there is no long term and irreversible impact. The department recommends conditions aimed at improving environmental management and reducing potential impacts.

“Subject to conditions, the project would ensure that impacts to native vegetation and threatened species habitat are minimised and offset in accordance with applicable legislation.”

Part of the conditions to be imposed on the project relate to flooding and hydrology.

A recommendation has also been made to reduce the impact the project will have on the Fuzzy Box Woodland, a species of eucalyptus tree.

Other recommendations include the appointment of an independent acoustic advisor in relation to noise and vibration impacts as well as conditions relating to traffic, transport and level crossings.

Additional conditions also relate to Aboriginal cultural heritage, land use and property access.

The department’s report noted submissions made in relation to the project.

Of the 88 community member submissions, 64 objected to the development.

The department also made mention of the Narrabri Inland Rail Concerned Residents Group which has advocated for an alternative route further west of Narrabri.

The group has said an alternative route would make more economic sense as it would be more affordable, require less bridge length and impact less landholders.

Narrabri Shire Council, while not opposing Inland Rail in its submission, acknowledged that the proposed route did not provide a positive economic outcome for the Narrabri Shire. Council raised concerns relating to the accuracy of the flood modelling undertaken to inform the project.

Council also raised concern regarding the lack of assessment and consideration of the alternative Narrabri route.

Additionally, council raised concern with the location of temporary workforce accommodation, the nature of stakeholder engagement in the process, adequacy of the heritage assessment, traffic and transport impacts, and social and amenity impacts.

“Whilst reduced construction costs and flood impacts could potentially favour the alternate routes over the final selected route, consideration of environmental, social, operational and other factors were important considerations for the proponent in determining its preferred alignment,” the department’s final report noted.

“The department has not undertaken a comparative environmental assessment of alternative routes for the proposal.

“The department is satisfied that an adequate investigation of alternatives has been undertaken by the proponent and clear responses to justify the preferred alignment have been provided.”