The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will hold drop-in information sessions in Moree and Narrabri for phase 2 of the Narrabri to North Star (N2NS) section of the Inland Rail project.
The drop-in information sessions follow the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Phase 2 of N2NS being put on public exhibition last week.
Phase 2 involves upgrading approximately 13km of existing track and building roughly 2km of new track across the Mehi-Gwydir floodplain at Camurra, north of Moree.
ARTC’s Inland Rail Delivery Director (Central), Heather Parry, said the organisation valued community input on the delivery of N2NS.
“To assist community members in understanding key information on N2NS Phase 2, we are hosting eight drop-in sessions in and around Moree to help people navigate the draft EIS documents,” Ms Parry said.
“At these sessions, attendees can also receive assistance with lodging a submission and learn more about what we are proposing as part of N2NS Phase 2.
“We value community input during the design and approvals process, and we encourage members of the community to make a submission to the New South Wales Government during the public exhibition.
“Key elements of Phase 2 include raising railway heights to achieve improved flood immunity, enhancing operational capability and changes to existing bridges over the Mehi and Gwydir rivers.
“The project will also involve upgrading drainage and associated flood management works, modifying existing level crossings to improve safety and works on utilities, modifying infrastructure and fencing impacted by the track upgrade.”
Through the EIS process, community members and stakeholders are invited to provide feedback and make formal submissions to the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE).
ARTC Inland Rail assists this process by facilitating community drop-in information sessions and other opportunities to explain the content of the draft EIS and the process for making submissions.
Following the EIS public exhibition, a written report responding to issues raised during the consultation will be made publicly available by ARTC and will be submitted to DPE and the Minister for Planning for consideration in assessing the N2NS Phase 2 project.
Drop-in sessions will be held at the following locations and times:
- 28 September: SHAE Academy, 114 Anne Street, Moree NSW, between 12pm-6:30pm
- 4 October: Moree Town and Country Club, 7 Frome Street, Moree NSW between 5pm-6:30pm
- 11 October: Moree Town and Country Club, 7 Frome Street, Moree NSW between 7am-8:30am
- 12 October: Econo Lodge, Alice Street & Gosport Street, Moree NSW between 12pm-1pm
- 14 October: Balo Square, Balo Street, Moree NSW between 11am-1pm
- 19 October: Stanley Village – park area, Moree NSW between 10am-11:30am
- 20 October: Moree Town and Country Club, 7 Frome Street, Moree NSW between 10am-12pm
- 27 October: Balo Square, Balo Street, Moree NSW between 12pm-3:30pm
The draft EIS is available to view and comment on at the DPE Major Projects website until midnight 2 November, 2022, more information on the community sessions can be found on the Inland Rail website here.
