EIS released for Parkes-Narromine section of Inland Rail
Moree Plains Shire Council welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement that next stage of the transformational Inland Rail project between Brisbane and Melbourne is underway with the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Parkes to Narromine section released to the public.
The EIS provides an assessment of the environmental and socio-economic impacts the track upgrades are expected to have during construction and when the line is operational.
Release of the EIS will enable the public to have their say on development of the project, while the release of the EIS for the Moree Plains region is expected in several months’ time.
Mayor Cr Katrina Humphries was thrilled to receive news of the EIS release for a key priority section of the Inland Rail project.
“This is a fabulous boost to the nation building project and supports the continued development of Moree as the northwest regional transport hub,” she said.
The Inland Rail will provide a Corridor of Opportunity between Brisbane and Melbourne via Toowoomba, Moree, Parkes and Albury, linking Australia's state capitals in the north, south, east and west.
In addition, the project will improve productivity of the national land freight network and be an enduring economic asset for regional communities such as the Moree Plains.
Moree Plains is located in a key Inland Rail priority area and as the regional transport hub for northwest NSW; it is ideally located in the heart of Australia’s most productive agricultural area.
“Given the significant freight demands of Moree Plains as well as being strategically placed on a major freight corridor, Moree Plains Shire Council continues to advocate for the construction of Inland Rail,” said the Mayor.
“The Inland Rail will play a critical role in providing substantial economic and community benefits to be realised by allowing more efficient movement of freight, reducing congestion on our key road transport corridors, and creating employment opportunities in regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland,” said the Mayor.