Consultation on Parkes to Narromine section EIS closes on August 18
The maiden environmental impact statement (EIS) for a section of the Inland Rail project has been released to the public.
Federal infrastructure and transport minister Darren Chester and NSW roads and freight minister Melinda Pavey say the EIS for the Parkes to Narromine section is the next major milestone for the Melbourne to Brisbane rail project.
“The EIS will ensure the community’s voices are heard, and issues relevant to the successful delivery of Inland Rail are taken into account,” Chester says.
The Parkes-Narromine section will make use of 106km of existing track and require 6km of new rail connection at Parkes.
Inland Rail will open up a corridor of opportunity, with Parkes “uniquely” positioned to leverage economically, Pavey says.
“Inland Rail is expected to increase the volumes of grain, cotton, chilled beef and other commodities being moved by rail,” she says.
“It will make it easier to move freight from farms, mines, and ports to NSW, national, and overseas markets.”
The next stage of the project has kicked off with the release of the EIS.
Works are expected to include reconstruction of the existing track, replacement of bridges and culverts, enhanced level crossings and crossing loops.
Consultation on the Parkes to Narromine project environmental impact statement closes on August 18.