Final approval secured for Illabo to Stockinbingal section of Inland Rail

The Illabo to Stockinbingal section of Inland Rail is on track to begin construction in 2025 as the project receives the final approval from the Australian Government. 

This follows the approval granted by the New South Wales Government in September of this year. 

The project was assessed under the Commonwealth Environment and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, which focuses on the avoidance as well as minimisation and management of impacts on biodiversity matters of national significance. 

The Federal Government’s conditions of approval supplement the State Government’s approval to protect threatened species and habitats in the project area. 

“We are pleased the Illabo to Stockinbingal project has been approved by the Federal Government, which opens the pathway to commencement of construction. 

“The approvals process has been a rigorous undertaking, with the NSW Government and Federal Government both giving their consent and confirming Inland Rail has met the expectations of all key stakeholders. 

“The granting of approval means we can now start construction in partnership with our contractor, John Holland, which we anticipate will take place in the second half of 2025. 

“We are fully committed to delivering Inland Rail South of Parkes by 2027 and this milestone is another important step on that journey,” Inland Rail Chief Executive Officer Nick Miller said. 

The Illabo to Stockinbingal Inland Rail project will deliver 39 kilometres of new track in the Junee and Cootamundra regions. 

This project will also include: 

• Track vertical alignments on existing ground level, on embankments and in cuttings 

• Eight new bridges at watercourses, two road overbridges and one grade separated (road over rail) at Burley Griffin Way, west of Stockinbingal 

• One crossing loop and associated maintenance siding 

• Construction of new level crossings, alterations of existing level crossings, and stock crossings 

• One major drainage diversion to collect and transport stormwater away from the rail line 

• Realignment of a 1.4-kilometre section of the Burley Griffin Way to accommodate a road over rail bridge at Stockinbingal 

• Works including installation and upgrade of new and existing culverts, upgrades to existing track for tie-in works, and removal of redundant sections of track 

Project map (source: John Holland)

This section of Inland Rail in New South Wales will create a new direct route from east of Illabo to Stockinbingal and it is the only new section of track from Beveridge to Parkes. 

The route will bypass the townships of Cootamundra and Bethungra as well as the winding, steep section of track known as the Bethungra Spiral on the Main South line – opening a more efficient way to transport freight. 

John Holland has been appointed to carry out the works on the Illabo to Stockinbingal section under a Design and Construct (D&C) contract. 

The company was selected based on its experience in delivering major civil and rail projects including being part of the consortium for Inland Rail Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 and the North-East Rail Line Upgrade (NERL) in Victoria in 2021. John Holand is also undertaking the second tranche of the Beveridge to Albury Inland Rail section in Victoria, with works to also begin in 2025. 

"We’re thrilled to be a part of another section of the Inland Rail – a significant project which will improve Australia’s ability to move freight in a safer and more sustainable way. 

“The project will also create jobs and help us work with local businesses to boost regional economies and leave a positive legacy. 

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Inland Rail to deliver another section of this important project, allowing us to leverage our skills and experience from the other sections of this significant project while also drawing on our long-standing experience in end-to-end rail solutions,” John Holland Executive General Manager Steve Butcher said. 

The Illabo to Stockingbingal project forms part of the Inland Rail development in New South Wales from Albury to Parkes which has, to date, delivered considerable employment and business opportunities. 

Since July 2023, Inland Rail has spent approximately $7.4 million with 86 local businesses on the project between Albury and Parkes, and employed a total of 434 people including 135 which are local residents and 40 of the total are women. 

Moreover, 40 of the total employed are First Nations people, and among the 135 locals are 24 First Nations people. 

Inland Rail is a 1,600-kilometre freight rail line that will connect Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The overall development is comprised of 12 sections and involves upgrades or enhancement works on about 1,000 kilometres of existing track and the construction of about 600 kilometres of new track. 

Source: Inland Rail (1, 2); John Holland; NSW Government – Planning; Infrastructure Magazine; Roads & Infrastructure Australia