Inland Rail has been recognised by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, receiving several achievements for the Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project.
Encompassing 176km of upgraded track, the Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project is the longest linear infrastructure project certified by the ISC and was awarded a ‘Excellent’ As Built rating.
Among the upgrades were improvements to seven bridges and increased safety at 57 level crossings, with ten passive level crossings upgraded to active with bells, lights, and boom gates installed at the crossings.
The Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 upgrades deliver a more efficient and reliable railway for local producers, boosting resilience against extreme weather events, with the track withstanding the worst flood in a decade to hit Moree in 2022.
During construction the project made use of a new steel rail shape developed by Australian steel manufacturer Liberty Primary Steel for Inland Rail that improves contact between a train’s wheels and the tracks.
This improved profile reduces the need for minor revisions in the form of steel grinding that takes place in the commissioning stage, which is where the new rails are tested, and reduces the safety risk of critical hot work after installation.
The Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project also reused earthworks which supported the rails, sleepers and ballast, significantly reducing the volume of new earth required.
The ISC panel also noted that the environmental offsets originally secured for the Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project far exceeded its final impact, leading to an 86 per cent improvement in ecological values and demonstrating the project’s commitment to minimising environmental effects.
The Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project is the second Inland Rail project to receive an ISC commendation, following on from last year’s ‘Excellent’ Design rating for the Stockinbingal to Parkes project.
Inland Rail Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability, Stephen Jones, said, “It was an honour for us to be able to collect this certificate on behalf of Inland Rail in front of our peers across the infrastructure industry.
“The ‘Excellent’ As Built rating demonstrates the levels of commitment to sustainability we hold dear at Inland Rail where a team of professionals dedicate themselves to achieving excellence in this key field.
“The Narrabri to North Star project is yet another example of Inland Rail’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, innovation, and industry leadership.”
