Inland Rail’s Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 (N2NS Phase 2) project has received Federal Government approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, marking a major milestone for the program.
The approval means all New South Wales sections of the Inland Rail project are now formally endorsed.
With key regulatory approvals in place, Inland Rail will continue working with its design services contractor, joint venture partners Arcadis BG&E, to progress detailed planning.
N2NS Phase 2 includes the upgrade of approximately 12 kilometres of existing rail track across the Gwydir Valley floodplain, north of Moree, as well as the construction of around 1.6 kilometres of new greenfield rail track to bypass the Camurra Hairpin.
The project also includes a new 1.3-kilometre spur to maintain connection with the Weemelah line.
Key design elements will include new and upgraded rail alignments, upgraded bridges, additional culverts across floodplains and waterways, improved level crossings, and associated earthworks.
Sections of the corridor between Narrabri and North Star have already been upgraded under the Phase 1 works, completed in 2023, enabling higher operating speeds for freight services.
Inland Rail is a 1,600-kilometre freight corridor designed to link Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.
The route has been divided into 12 sections to enable staged delivery of the open-access freight network.
Future decisions regarding the delivery of Inland Rail north of Narromine remain under consideration by the Australian Government.
The project is expected to play a central role in improving freight efficiency, supporting regional economies, and strengthening national supply chains.
