Narromine to Narrabri project update December 2022
In the last quarter of 2022, we’ve made progress across various facets of the N2N project. Geotechnical investigations continued with more locations assessed along the alignment, the Approvals team submitted final documentation to the Department of Planning and Environment and the Hydrology team enriched their understanding of local flood plains. Meanwhile members from our Stakeholder Engagement team supported the development of young adults in the community.
December 14, 2022
Geotechnical investigations
Geotechnical investigations (GI) have continued in recent months with soil testing in the Curban Junction area.
Building a strong foundation for the rail track is essential, especially in areas with ‘black’ soils (common in this project) which tend to shrink and swell under variable moisture conditions.
GI helps us to understand the ground conditions (soil and rock) where the Inland Rail alignment is proposed to run. It allows us to optimise the design and composition of the rail embankment and ensure its safe construction and operation.
Approvals progress
Since October, our approvals team has been reviewing and responding to the 70 public and agency submissions received by the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) in response to the project’s Preferred Infrastructure/Amendment Report public exhibition.
In mid-November, we finalised the Response to Submissions report and DPE made it publicly available on the NSW Government’s Major Projects website.
DPE is currently assessing the project on its merits and will provide a recommendation to the NSW Minister for Planning for determination. DPE’s Environmental Assessment Report and the Minister’s decision will be forwarded to the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water with a recommendation on whether the project should be approved, with or without conditions.
Should approval be granted, we will commence detailed design and develop discipline-specific management plans that address the project’s conditions of approval.
Flood modelling update
The major rainfall events that hit Narrabri and Moree in October gave us the opportunity to gather more detailed information as well as validate the extensive hydrological models developed for the N2N project.
Aerial and land surveys in the Narrabri Shire were completed and are informing detailed design refinements to our hydrology models.
We encourage the community to share photos or rain gauge information from any recent rain events by dropping into 85 Maitland Street, Narrabri, calling 1800 732 761 or emailing us on inlandrailnsw@artc.com.au
Nurturing young minds
In November, members from the N2N project team attended the Clontarf Academy’s end-of-year awards night at Coonamble High School which recognised the achievements of 60 First Nations youth this year.
Seven students received special mentions in key learning areas of Community, Encouragement, Clontarf Values, Leadership, Clontarf Spirit, Attendance and Sport.
Teachers and staff joined the students and their proud families, the Coonamble Mayor and local councillors.
This year the Inland Rail Skills Academy partnered with the Clontarf Foundation to support 13 Clontarf Academies along the rail corridor.
Meanwhile, representatives from Inland Rail and our rail corridor program contractor Martinus recently hosted an interactive information booth at the Dubbo Aspire Careers Expo for secondary students.
More than 300 students from three local high schools explored skills, industries and future career possibilities available in the Dubbo region. Our booth, which featured tools, equipment, infrastructure parts and engineering challenges, attracted strong student interest in construction and general rail industry jobs.
TOP IMAGE: Soil testing near Curban Junction
BOTTOM IMAGE: Building challenge at the Dubbo Aspire Skills Expo event
December 14, 2022
