MP says community feels ‘utterly betrayed’ by Inland Rail decision

alismith

MEMBER for Parkes Jamie Chaffey recently met with local businesses, council and community representatives to discuss the future of Inland Rail in Narrabri.

The consultation follows the federal government’s decision in May to withdraw funding for the remaining northern sections of Inland Rail north of Parkes, including the planned Narrabri section, after an independent assessment found the project’s estimated cost had blown out to more than $45bn.

The meeting was an opportunity for Mr Chaffey to hear directly about the impacts of the decision to axe the project and to gather feedback for a formal submission to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King, calling for compensation and for the project to be completed.

“The Labor government’s announcement the Inland Rail project would not go ahead north of Parkes has been devastating for many businesses, organisations and families,” Mr Chaffey said.

“The message was clear: the community feels utterly betrayed.

“Business owners expressed deep disappointment that the Labor government would change such a generational development without consultation and without any understanding or care about the ripple effects on the community.

“While we know this decision will have severe consequences, it’s important to understand exactly what those consequences are.

“I would like to thank those who attended and shared their experiences.

“This roundtable is only the beginning.

“There will be many more opportunities for businesses, councils and residents to have their say and to help me to develop a submission to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King.”

The Inland Rail project was expected to create more than 450 jobs across Northern NSW, increase regional economic output, support local businesses during construction, and help attract future industry to the region.

Mr Chaffey said community members with concerns about Inland Rail or those who would like to contribute to the consultation process should contact his office.

He is also urging people to sign the Rescue Our Rail petition, which calls for the government to reverse the decision and complete the Inland Rail project.

Narrabri Shire Council general manager Eloise Chaplain said the meeting was a constructive opportunity to discuss the impacts the decision will have on our region and ensure those concerns are clearly understood.

“While the Inland Rail decision is disappointing, we are encouraged by the continued interest council is seeing in the Narrabri region, including increased development activity and major project investment,” she said.

“Council continues to advocate for the infrastructure and investment our region needs while building on the strong momentum we’re already experiencing.”

Narrabri Chamber of Commerce president Russell Stewart said: “It was a chance to tell Jamie Chaffey what we thought, how we were affected individually but also as a community.

“We’d been promised the world for years, from both sides of politics, telling us to ramp up and invest, which we did … and they came in and ripped it off of us,” he said.

“Just finish between Narrabri and Narromine, that way Narrabri does become a hub and you’re completing the loop in NSW; finish the loop you started in NSW.

“It links up everyone in the west with the port in Newcastle.”

“The angst that we put up with in town, people sold properties that they didn’t want to sell – they’re playing with emotions.

“People were promised the world and I think they knew 12 months before they announced there would be no funding. I wonder how many people sold or invested getting ready in those 12 months.

“You can’t come out here and promise the world to people and not deliver … and there was no consultation about it.

“We just have to stand up for it; you might not win the fight, but you have to be in it; you just have to keep going and going.

“It’s not just about Inland Rail … it’s about being done over all the time.

“I love this region and will continue to fight for it”

The Courier contacted the minister’s office for comment and was provided with the following response from a government spokesperson.

“The Australian government is prioritising investment into the existing freight rail network to improve its productivity, focusing on the improvements that can be delivered most quickly.

“We will work with communities, including in northern New South Wales, to maximise the benefits of our almost $2.8bn investment to improve the productivity, resilience and reliability of Australia’s freight rail network.

“We are also continuing to invest in other nationally significant projects that will transform how freight moves around the country and stimulate regional economic activity and jobs.

“This includes funding more than $1bn in upgrades along the Newell Highway, including the new Dubbo Bridge and completed overtaking lanes south of Moree, $32m towards intersection upgrades in Gilgandra, and completed freight rail upgrades between Hunter Valley and Narrabri North, as well as between Narrabri and Moree.

“The government’s decision to consolidate Inland Rail to Parkes was made following detailed cost assurance work that confirmed the cost estimate now exceeds $45bn to deliver the full Inland Rail project from Melbourne to Brisbane.

“These cost escalations, as identified by Dr Kerry Schott’s independent review into Inland Rail, are in large part due to immature preliminary designs and subsequent delays, stemming from the coalition government’s decision to commence Inland Rail with no idea of where it would start or finish.”