Illabo to Stockinbingal section of Inland Rail in NSW given the green light

The New South Wales Government has given the green light to the development of the Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) Illabo to Stockinbingal section of Inland Rail. 

With the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces approving the project, Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is now a step closer to beginning project construction – expected in late 2024. 

With the CSSI status, this project is deemed essential to the State’s economy and society. 

“Inland Rail needs the cooperation of the three states it spans so it is great to see regional NSW leading the charge with this approval. 

“Planning approval is a significant step for this transformative project to enhance our freight and supply chain capabilities. 

“Each section of Inland Rail is a valuable link in the chain of this important national infrastructure. 

“Inland Rail promises to be a game changer for inland communities across rural NSW. Once complete, we will be able to move goods much more efficiently to both Melbourne and Brisbane,” Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said. 

The Illabo to Stockinbingal project is one of seven sections of Inland Rail that traverses inland New South Wales. This rail line will include a crossing loop at Bethungra and will connect with the Stockinbingal to Parkes and Lake Cargelligo lines, enabling good to travel along the Main Southern Railway from Sydney to Albury. 

This Inland Rail project spans 42.5 kilometres and will deliver a new 39-kilometre single-track railway that allows double-stacked freight trains to run as well as upgrades to about 3.5 kilometres of existing train tracks for necessary integration works to the main rail line at Illabo. 

“Inland Rail promises to be a game changer for people across rural NSW. 

“Regional communities need big developments to keep workers in the bush and actively contribute to their communities. 

“We look forward to Inland Rail continuing its essential journey throughout the state,” Regional NSW and Western NSW Minister Tara Moriarty said. 

Illabo to Stockiningal section map (source: Inland Rail)

The proposed scope of works on the Illabo to Stockinbingal project 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 

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

Other works involved will include building of infrastructure for communications, drainage, signage, fencing, and temporary workers’ accommodation 

The heritage-listed Bethungra Spiral on the main rail line is going to be bypassed. 

“This section of Inland Rail will provide a valuable infrastructure link for the South West Slopes as it connects with this vital piece of national infrastructure. 

“The NSW Government is working with Inland Rail to deliver this project and strengthen its commitment to the regions. 

“Consumers right across regional NSW stand to benefit with valuable cost savings once the Inland Rail project is complete as our state will have a more efficient and sustainable freight transport,” Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said. 

This newly approved section will connect to the Inland Rail’s Albury to Illabo proposal in the south and the Stockinbingal to Parkes proposal in the north. 

This proposal is a controlled action and requires approval from the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Department of Planning, Housing and infrastructure has assessed the project against the EPBC Act under the Bilateral Agreement between the New South Wales and Australian Governments. 

The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will now review the State Government’s approval assessment and the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Water will determine the project under the EPBC Act. 

Works on the Illabo to Stockingbingal Inland Rail project is expected to commence later this year if approved by the Australian Government and be completed in 2027, with project construction estimated to create up to 400 jobs. 

“The nearby Albury to Illabo and Stockinbingal to Parkes section of the Inland Rail project have injected more than $4.2 million into the local economy with many businesses receiving a timely economic boost during a cost-of-living crisis. 

“I’m encouraged by this next significant project milestone for communities across the South West Slopes. 

“Once finished, Inland Rail will provide faster, more reliable freight and safer, less congested roads,” Duty MLC for Cootamundra Stephen Lawrence said. 

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 to about 1,000 kilometres of existing track and the construction of 600 kilometres of new track. 

Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; Inland Rail; NSW Government – Planning