It was reported in media this week that funding for six Inland Rail projects between Narromine and Narrabri has been pulled or deferred in the recent state budget. This includes the grade separation program and could affect bridges and crossings between roads and rail lines.

Grade separation is basically where the rail line goes over or under a major road or highway. One was scheduled to be put in place between Coonamble and Gilgandra. Concerns are that no grade separation means vehicles will need to wait at crossings for trains to pass - a critical time issue for emergency services and an inconvenience for freight deliveries and those traveling to access passenger air services.

But Narromine Shire Council Mayor, Craig Davies said there is no need for concern.

"There has been an expectation that funding may disappear in the short term," he said. "The Inland Rail work between Narromine and Narrabri will not even start for at least four years."

Mr Davies said that in light of this timeline, it is not surprising that funding will be delayed.

"We have had assurances from the CEO and 2IC of Inland Rail, as well as Minister Catherine King (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development of Australia) that things will go ahead as planned when the time is right. It is my understanding that this announcement has no effect on the end result."

In July, Inland Rail said it would focus on completing the sections between Beveridge in Victoria and Parkes in NSW by 2027.

The first major construction works on Inland Rail’s Stockinbingal to Parkes section have now been successfully completed, with principal contractor Martinus Rail making progress across multiple sites.

The works were carried out during a 60-hour track possession with the Melbourne to Sydney line closed from Saturday 23 to Monday 25 September. Workers across three sites from Stockinbingal to Parkes worked around the clock to kickstart major construction and return the line to operation.

 New precast culverts were installed under the main line at Daroobalgie in preparation for the future crossing loop to be constructed next year.

Track and shoulder formation works and track slews were completed at both the Bribbaree and Caragabal yards, allowing sufficient clearance for double stacked trains.

These sites are now complete and meet the requirements for Inland Rail and are a key milestone towards Inland Rail being completed between Beveridge and Parkes by 2027, and connecting to existing rail networks between Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, and the Illawarra.

Mr Davies emphasised any cut or delay in funding for the Narromine to Narrabri section was understandable and that the delay was only due to the timeline for local works is a long way off.

"It’s that simple, Mr Davies said.