NSW Farmers are behind a push to get the Inland Rail ‘back on track’ by returning to the inquiry recommendations that were made last year without implementation. 

The unnecessary disruption of farming land, a lack of design work and indecisive planning are all factors pushing NSW Farmers Inland Rail Task Force Chairman Adrian Lyons to urge the government to turn to the Inquiry findings to further progress on the constantly delayed rail project. 

“I think we’ve worked with the Coalition for six years now. We’d be laying track by now if they’d listen,” Mr Lyons told Rural News podcast host Sophie Clarke. 

With a new government, Mr Lyons is hoping Labor will be more proactive with the $15 billion project. 



While an independent inquiry was originally proposed, the government opted for their own senate inquiry. 

Mr Lyons said another inquiry isn’t necessary, but rather greater attention paid to existing evidence. 

“As it stands, we have to have some changes,” Mr Lyons said. 

Mr Lyons said the Narromine to Narrabri (N2N) section of the route could be one of the most vulnerable to avoidable disruption.

“(ARTC) are going to go and split and divide greenfield areas from Narromine to Narrabri with no design. We’re very dismayed at how ARTC have mishandled such a big project,” he said.

“ARTC have been substandard in how they’ve done their consultation process…it nearly needs to go back to the drawing board.”

In the Government’s response to the inquiry (delivered in December 2021), one of the 26 recommendations is a review of the N2N section to better account for economic benefits and impacts on regional communities. 

This sentiment has been echoed in communities like Coonamble, who are unable to capitalise on many of the expected benefits given the distance to the track. 

The recommendation was not accepted by the government.

Prior to his election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that the government will commit to getting the project back on track. 

“Nearly a decade later, it is clear Inland Rail is not being delivered properly…the truth is that the route is not finalised,” Mr Albanese said. 

So far the N2N alignment is in the ‘Project Stage’, with further design work still to commence before construction can begin next year. The entirety of the project is due to be completed in 2027.