Following the scathing Dr Kerry Schott review in April the future of the Inland Rail project north of Parkes looked to be in jeopardy after it was put on the backburner by the Federal Government.

Federal Minister for Transport, Infrastructure, and Regional Development, Catherine King, had made it clear of the government’s commitment to completing the Inland Rail to Parkes, however, no time frame or commitment had been made north of there, including the Narromine to Narrabri section that passes through western plains shires.

“The effort and concentration is on getting it to Parkes, we think that is where we can get a return on investment,” she said at a press conference on Thursday 6 April.

“We do want to see it get to Ebenezer (Brisbane) but we’re not in a position to start building to do that.”

However, on Tuesday 27 June, four representatives from the Australian Rail and Track Corporation (ARTC) met with Coonamble Shire Council to provide a project update.

They made it clear that they remain committed to the project’s completion, and are still undertaking land acquisition and conducting environmental impact statements in the Narromine to Narrabri section.

Arrangements around construction worker accommodation and catering are also being finalised in communities along the N2N route.

“Future decisions by Government on the delivery of Inland Rail sections north of Narromine will be contingent on gaining the required primary approvals and land required for the Inland Rail corridor,” said a spokesperson for ARTC.

“Subject to the Narromine to Narrabri section achieving Australian Government environmental approvals, we’ll conduct further investigations, such as locating utilities and investigating ground conditions, to help refine the project’s detailed design and provide more certainty on the delivery and cost of the full Inland Rail project.”

While the news was welcomed by the group representing Coonamble, the sentiment remains the same as it always has in relation to the Inland Rail - mixed.

“Our concern has always been that the benefits of the Rail are not as obvious for us (Coonamble Shire) as they are for places like Moree, Narrabri, and Narromine,” said Coonamble Shire Mayor Tim Horan.

Cr Horan says the Inland Rail has the capacity to enhance the district’s economic future.

“We’re dealing with companies and businesses that are talking with us about wanting to expand and develop, and it all depends on how we fit into the Inland Rail network,” he said.

“We’re building another four bunkers at our grain depository as well.”