ARTC’s Narrabri Inland Rail office unveiled

The official opening of a Narrabri ARTC office for the Narrabri to Narromine Inland Rail project has ushered in an exciting era for the shire, a ‘milestone event’, deputy mayor Cathy Redding said on Friday.

Cr Redding and Member for Parkes Mark Coulton cut the ribbon to officially launch the shopfront and information office for the project.

Mr Coulton said the Inland Rail would be the catalyst for local business opportunites and employment.

The Narromine to Narrabri section of the route was the biggest section of new track in NSW and will require the most skilled workers and suppliers for the project in NSW.

Mr Coulton has long been a strong advocate for the Inland Rail, including the-then futuristic project, considered by many a dream at the time, in his maiden speech to parliament 14 years ago.

“The dream is now becoming a reality,” Mr Coulton said.

ARTC Inland Rail interim chief executive Rebecca Pickering said opening a home base in Narrabri was ‘just the beginning’ for project delivery in the region.

“The space will cater for up to 10 people who are working on the planning and construction of Inland Rail.”

Narrabri Shire Council had been ‘very proactive’ in supporting the project, deputy mayor Redding said.

“The council and community will be taking full advantage of the Inland Rail with the development of the Northern Inland Port which will grow and become a major employment centre for the shire.”

Cr Redding thanked shire general manager Stewart Todd for his ‘vision and work’ which had brought the Inland Port to the point where full advantage could be taken of the rail route.

“This is an exciting time for Narrabri. We can see the big picture, and see the importance of the rail project for our shire, the region and the nation.

“It’s onwards and upwards for Narrabri Shire.”

The Narrabri ARTC office will be the hub for community information, and a contact point for contractors and businesses large and small seeking engagement with the project.

In future, any information about the Inland Rail will be available from ARTC staff at the offices.

“Our staff will welcome all enquiries about the project,” ARTC Inland Rail director – delivery (southern), Paul Giess told the gathering.

Narrabri Chamber of Commerce president Russell Stewart said the Inland Rail project brought another new era of development for the shire.

“We saw the start of the cotton industry, then the advent of coal and potentially gas industries.

“Narrabri Shire is geographically perfect to link in through this project.

“It is up to us to take full advantage of the opportunities it presents. At the end of the day it will be private industry that invests and becomes involved.”

“As Inland Rail continues construction in NSW, we are focused on working with regional communities to create both short term and long-lasting economic opportunities for local people and businesses,” said ARTC Inland Rail interim chief executive Rebecca Pickering.

“Last year we appointed Acciona CPB Joint Venture (ACACPB) as the preferred proponent to deliver the civil works component for the Narromine to Narrabri section.

“Further to the civil works contractor, we appointed Martinus Rail to deliver the 570-kilometre rail corridor component from Narromine to Gowrie in Queensland.

“Both ACACBP and Martinus will now seek partnerships with businesses to support the delivery of the 306-kilometre greenfield N2N section and we are calling on businesses to register their interest in the project.

“We will need a large local workforce to support this part of the project with an estimated 7500 workers needed in NSW at the peak of construction in 2023-24.”

Inland Rail had already generated more than 2600 jobs across NSW with the delivery of the Parkes to Narromine section and construction on the Narrabri to North Star section currently underway.

Ms Pickering said local suppliers supported the Narrabri office fit out and ARTC was looking to recruit locals with skills in office administration, office support and related disciplines.

“There is no other infrastructure project in Australia like Inland Rail,” Mr Coulton told the audience.

“The economic opportunities this will bring along the Narromine to Narrabri alignment are enormous, providing the chance for local people and businesses to be involved in this once-in-a-generation project.

“This new office signals an exciting turning point for this part of the project, which will only ramp up from here.”