Parkes residents will be among the first in the country to have their say about Australia’s new inland rail network after it went on public exhibition on Wednesday.
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It’s another step forward in the Brisbane to Melbourne Inland Rail project becoming a reality for the shire and the region.
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Parkes to Narromine section of the project is being exhibited for community consultation, with submissions open until August 18.
NSW Minister for Planning and Housing Anthony Roberts said NSW’s rail corridor between Parkes and Narromine will be an integral part of the new national transport infrastructure that will stretch 1700 kilometres from Brisbane to Melbourne.
He said the Parkes to Narromine project has been prioritised and will be the first section to be constructed.
Work will involve upgrading 106 kilometres of the track, track formation, and culverts, as well as providing three new crossing loops at Goonumbla, Peak Hill, and Timjelly, and a new six kilometre-long rail connection to the Broken Hill line to the west of Parkes.
“As with all major projects, the community is encouraged to give feedback and all submissions will be considered,” Mr Roberts said.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is also hosting a series of information sessions about the Inland Rail next month in Parkes, Peak Hill and Narromine.
ARTC Programme Delivery Director for the Inland Rail Simon Thomas said that ARTC’s project team members will be on hand at the sessions to answer questions about the EIS.
“ARTC has been working closely with the community for the past 18 months. We are very grateful for the support, feedback and land access they have provided which has helped us draft the EIS,” he said.
“The information sessions are open to everyone and I encourage people to come and learn more about this exciting project for Australia.
“Central West NSW stands to benefit from Inland Rail and ARTC understands how important it is for people to understand the proposals for their local area.”
The information sessions will be held:
PARKES
- 9am-12pm, August 2, Coventry Room, Parkes Shire Library, Bogan Street.
- 3-7pm, August 8, Coventry Room, Parkes Shire Library, Bogan Street.
PEAK HILL
- 3-6pm, August 2, Ex Services & Citizens Club, Caswell Street.
- 9am-12pm, August 8, Ex Services & Citizens Club, Caswell Street.
The community is invited to provide feedback on the EIS while it is on exhibition from July 19 to August 18.
Formal submissions must be received by August 18.
Copies of the EIS are available at Parkes Shire Council and Narromine Shire Council.
Submissions can be made on the Planning Department’s major projects website www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au or posted to the Director Transport Assessments Planning Services, Department of Planning and Environment, GPO Box 39, Sydney, NSW 2001.
To view the EIS and for more information visit the Inland Rail Parkes to Narromine project page at https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/P2N.
People can contact Inland Rail via the information line (free-call) 1800 732 761 or viainlandrailenquiries@artc.com.au.
