The Australian Government approved the Illabo – Stockinbingal rail section of Inland Rail in New South Wales which means the project will enter construction phase in 2025.
The project was assessed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, which focuses on the avoidance, minimisation and management of impacts on biodiversity matters of national significance.
The Commonwealth’s conditions of approval supplement the NSW approval to protect threatened species and habitats in the project area.
The 39-km Illabo – Stockinbingal rail section will create a new direct route from east of Illabo tracking north to Stockinbingal in New South Wales and is the only new section of track from Beveridge to Parkes.
The route will bypass the townships of Cootamundra and Bethungra and the winding, steep section of track known as the Bethungra Spiral on the Main South line, opening a more efficient way to transport freight.
Works on the Illabo – Stockinbingal rail section will be carried out by construction partner John Holland, which has been awarded the design and construction contract. The work will include the construction of several bridges and level crossings, numerous culverts, as well as a new crossing loop.
John Holland was selected based on experience delivering major civil and rail projects including being part of the consortium delivering the Inland Rail Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project last year in NSW and the North-East Rail Line Upgrade (NERL) in Victoria in 2021. John Holland is also delivering the second tranche of the Beveridge to Albury Inland Rail section in Victoria, with construction works also starting in 2025.
Illabo to Stockinbinga forms part of the Inland Rail section in NSW from Albury to Parkes which has provided considerable employment and business opportunities. Since July last year Inland Rail has spent AUD 7.4 million (USD 4.9 million) with 86 local businesses on the project between Albury and Parkes. On the same section, Inland Rail has employed a total of 434 people.
Work is well under way on the Stockinbingal to Parkes section, while the Phase 1 section from Narrabri to North Star has been completed.
“The approvals process has been a rigorous undertaking, with the NSW Government and Federal Government both giving their consent and confirming Inland Rail has met the expectations of all key stakeholders. We are fully committed to delivering Inland Rail South of Parkes by 2027 and this milestone is another important step on that journey,” Nick Miller, thre Chief Executive Officer of Inland Rail said.
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