The announcement from the Federal Government to conduct a review on the Inland Rail has been welcomed by community and industry groups after years of criticism around the project’s progress. 

While the project has been supported as beneficial for local industry and the decarbonisation of freight, concern has long been expressed about a lack of stakeholder consultation, the project’s scope, schedule and cost. 

The Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW has been campaigning for a review for some time, according to President Joy Beames, describing the project as a crashing car that hasn’t been able to be stopped. 

“To be clear, we have always stated that we support this project, and we do, but what we cannot support is the way it is currently being executed. There are so many issues up and down the alignment that have been totally ignored for years, all for the sake of political expediency,” Mrs Beames said. 

The review is set to be delivered in 2023, mirroring the planned commencement of construction on the Narromine to Narrabri (N2N) corridor of the project.

Mrs Beames said that given current progress, there should be time for the Inland Rail to adapt procedures from the review before construction starts, with the proposed start date being ‘fanciful’.

“There are far too many unresolved planning issues that the NSW decision-makers need to consider as part of the N2N approval,” Mrs Beames said. 

She expects that the N2N corridor will be a major focus of the review, given its sheer size and associated issues. 

NSW Farmers Inland Rails Taskforce chair Peter Wilson said the review is a chance to ensure the project improves supply chains, grows regional economies and decreases freight costs. 

“This is the final chance to closely analyse the route and regional opportunity, and where we can get the least impact for the greatest gain,” Mr Wilson said. 

“Engagement, consultation and addressing community concerns is something we need to look at - to date there has been a piecemeal approach to sharing information, and a lot of work has been handed off to contractors who are not held accountable,” he said. 

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Catherine King announced this week the review - the result of an election commitment made earlier this year - will be led by Dr Kerry Schott AO. 

“Dr Schott is a highly respected and trusted leader who brings a wealth of experience from both the business and government sectors to the role. She will conduct a thorough and independent review of Inland Rail and make recommendations to ensure this nationally significant project is successfully delivered,” Ms King said. 

“The review will give the Government a clear-eyed view on what the problems are and the way forward.”.

In a statement, an ARTC representative said they welcome co-operation with the Independent Reviewer. 

“While this independent Review is under way our work of designing and building Inland Rail will continue, supporting businesses and jobs, and enabling communities and local governments to engage on this important initiative,” the representative said.