The Illabo to Stockinbingal section of Inland Rail has received Australian Government approval, green-lighting the project to move into the construction phase in 2025.
The 39-kilometre Illabo to Stockinbingal section of Inland Rail will create a new direct route from east of Illabo tracking north to Stockinbingal in New South Wales and is the only new section of track from Beveridge to Parkes.
The route will bypass the townships of Cootamundra and Bethungra and the winding, steep section of track known as the Bethungra Spiral on the Main South line, opening a more efficient way to transport freight.
Nick Miller, Chief Executive Officer Inland Rail, said it was an important step towards delivering Inland Rail south of Parkes by 2027.
“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," he said.
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“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."
The project was assessed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, which focuses on the avoidance, minimisation and management of impacts on biodiversity matters of national significance.
The Commonwealth’s conditions of approval supplement the NSW approval to protect threatened species and habitats in the project area. The approval is available online in the EPBC public portal.
Works on the Illabo to Stockinbingal section will be carried out by construction partner John Holland, which has been awarded the Design and Construct (D&C) contract.
The work will include the construction of several bridges and level crossings, numerous culverts, as well as a new crossing loop.
John Holland was selected based on experience delivering major civil and rail projects including being part of the consortium delivering the Inland Rail Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project last year in NSW and the North-East Rail Line Upgrade (NERL) in Victoria in 2021.
John Holland is also delivering the second tranche of the Beveridge to Albury (B2A) Inland Rail section in Victoria, with construction works also starting in 2025.
Work is well under way on the Stockinbingal to Parkes section, while the Phase 1 section from Narrabri to North Star has been completed and attracting recognition for sustainability.
John Holland Executive General Manager Steve Butcher said his team is thrilled to be part of another section of the Inland Rail.
“This project will also create jobs and help us work with local businesses to boost regional economies and leave a positive legacy," he said.
“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.”
Inland Rail is a 1,600km freight rail line that will connect Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
For more information on the Illabo to Stockinbingal section of Inland Rail, please visit the project page.
