Contractors break ground as Inland Rail construction begins next stage

DPM Michael McCormack and local member Mark Coulton turn the sod on the second stage of Inland Rail with the construction team, courtesy of Inland Rail.

The Trans4m joint venture have broken ground on the second section of the 1700 kilometre Inland Rail project.

This section between Narrabri and North Star (N2NS) is being split into two packages of work. The first package involves the initial upgrade to 171 kilometres of existing tracks.

Stage two is still progressing in design but will involve the construction of a new rail track between Moree and Camurra.

John Holland and SEE Civil make up the Trans4m joint venture and have turned the first sod of soil for the $693 million N2NS works.

The Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and local member Mark Coulton were on site to see works kick off.

“It seems like just yesterday I turned the first sod on Inland Rail in Parkes and today we celebrate another momentous occasion with the commencement of the second section between Narrabri to North Star, an equally significant event,” McCormack said.

The first section of Inland Rail was completed earlier in 2020.

“This event in Moree marks real progress on the Inland Rail project which has been talked about since Federation,” he said.

“The $693.8 million construction effort on Narrabri and North Star brings immediate stimulus to the regional communities of Narrabri, Bellata, Moree, Croppa Creek and North Star and those townships in between.”

He said regional Australians are benefitting from the investment in Inland Rail, seeing more money spent locally, with local, regional and Australian businesses.

This stage of the Inland Rail project is expected to support 500 jobs through the joint venture with others to follow for subcontractors and businesses in the regions.

Local Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government, Mark Coulton said today’s milestone in Moree at the heart of the Narrabri to North Star section showed Inland Rail was on track for all the right reasons.

“Inland Rail is necessary to meet Australia’s growing freight transport task for the next 50 years, and all levels of government are working together to leverage the long-term benefits of Inland Rail to attract new businesses to regional Australia,” Coulton said.

“From the special activation precinct in Moree to Narrabri’s Inland Port, private businesses and industry are setting up shop because they can see the long-term growth Inland Rail is bringing to these regional communities.”

Minister Coulton said he was pleased the community could engage with the contractor for N2NS, Trans4m Rail, at upcoming information sessions at North Star, Moree and Narrabri to learn more about regional employment and supply opportunities.

Details about these sessions can be found at www.inlandrail.artc.com.au/events