Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann

The Liberal and Nationals’ Government is continuing to progress the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail, with a $13.5 million contract awarded by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) for feasibility design work between Narromine and Narrabri.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said the contract is one of many set to be awarded this year for the 1,700km project.

“Today’s contract award takes the Narromine to Narrabri project another step forward,” Mr McCormack said.

“Inland Rail will boost economic development and investment, bringing jobs and opportunities to local businesses and communities throughout regional Australia.

“With construction on the Parkes to Narromine project set to commence this year, we are already starting seeing evidence of this in these communities.

“We are working closely with landholders and the community to ensure concerns about the route between Narromine and Narrabri are heard.

“I will continue to meet with landholders, and I know the ARTC is consulting with the community.”

Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann said the feasibility design contract, awarded to JacobsGHD IR Joint Venture, is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to strengthen private sector investment in regional communities.

“There is plenty of community interest in the design of Inland Rail,” Senator Cormann said.

“As these contracts are awarded and feasibility designs progress, more detail will become available, building on preliminary investigations and community engagement already carried out by the ARTC.”

The Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment and Member for Parkes Mark Coulton welcomed the announcement that work on the Environmental Impact Assessment will commence in coming months.

“This is critical work which will help to narrow the current preferred study corridor from up to five kilometres to a final alignment of 40-60 metres,” Mr Coulton said.

Feasibility design works are highly detailed and form a crucial part of identifying engineering solutions for the route.

Construction works on the Narromine to Narrabri section will not commence until all necessary approvals have been received in approximately two years’ time.

More information about the Inland Rail project is available at www.inlandrail.artc.com.au.