Planning approval documents

Inland Rail has received all primary planning approvals from the Australian and NSW Governments for Inland Rail’s Narrabri to North Star project (Phase 1 and Phase 2). We have developed a range of documents for managing the design and construction of the Narrabri to North Star project.

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Phase 1

Phase 2

Narrabri to North Star Phase 1

New South Wales Government approvals

The Narrabri to North Star section was approved by DPE on 13 August 2020. The following documents support the State planning approval:

Further Phase 1 project applications and documents are available on the NSW Government’s Major Projects website.

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 was on public display in late 2017. During this time the community had the opportunity to make a submission about the project to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) as part of its assessment of the project.

Australian Government approval

The Narrabri to North Star project was approved by the Department of Agriculture Water and the Environment on 1 October 2020 under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: Narrabri to North Star decision on approval of action: Approved with conditions.

 

Licenses, management plans, strategies and programs

Environment Protection Licence issued to the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) by the NSW Environment Protection Authority.

Inland Rail is committed to working sustainably on all projects along the alignment, as outlined in the Environment and Sustainability Policy. As such, we require our contractors to make the same commitment.

This report identifies and illustrates the location of all public level crossings and provides details such as the treatment required, measures to avoid short stacking, justification of any closures and assessment of road risks.

This report assesses the traffic impacts of the Narrabri to North Star project to satisfy the Ministers Conditions of Approval. It includes a risk assessment of connectivity issues with local emergency services and other stakeholders and consultation with the wider community.

This report assesses flood behaviour within the local catchments crossed by the project, within the Namoi, Gwydir and Macintyre River basins, including estimates of flood levels and velocities for existing and design conditions.

The Construction Environmental Management Plan and sub-plans describe how construction activities will be managed to minimise any impacts to the surrounding environment and community.

Details the key management and mitigation measures that will be implemented in order to minimise and manage the potential impacts from construction traffic.

Details the key mitigation measures that will be implemented in order to minimise and manage any flood impacts during construction.

Details the key mitigation measures that will be implemented in order to minimise and manage the noise and vibration impacts during construction.

Describes the key mitigation measures that will be implemented in order to minimise and manage the soil and water impacts associated with construction of Phase 1 of the Narrabri to North Star Project.

Details the key management and mitigation measures that will be implemented in order to minimise and manage the potential construction impacts on flora and fauna during construction.

Details the key mitigation measures that details the key mitigation measures that will be implemented in order to minimise and manage construction impacts on heritage items during construction of the Narrabri to North Star project.

These documents report results of independent environmental audits conducted of the Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 Project

This document outlines our approach to working with the community and how we will manage and respond to any enquiries or complaints that we receive, as we build the Narrabri to North Star section of Inland Rail.

This document describes how the project will identify and engage with key stakeholders during construction, and how the project will receive community feedback and keep the community informed of construction progress.

This Department of Agriculture Water and the Environment fact sheet provides an overview of the compliance monitoring and auditing program in place for projects referred under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

This document details the strategy for managing all potential environmental impacts for all site establishment works associated with Trans4m Rail’s Construction Ancillary Facilities, intersections and access road. The Plan includes measures to avoid or minimise potential impacts.

The following documents relate to the operational stage of the Narrrabri to North Star section:

Phase 1 Operational Staging Report

Phase 1 Operational Environmental Management Framework (OEMF)

Phase 1 Operational Compliance Report 2024

Phase 1 Operational Independent Environmental Audit: Audit 1 – Operations

Phase 1 Operational Independent Environmental Audit: Audit 1 – Response to findings letter

Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project: Operational Staging Report (October 2021)

Narrabri to North Star Phase 2

New South Wales Government approvals

The Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 Environmental Impact Statement was on public exhibition from 21 September 2022 until Wednesday 9 November 2022.

Following the exhibition, 19 public submissions and 11 pieces of agency advise were received by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
The NSW Minister for Public Spaces approved the proposal with conditions on 4 December 2025.

Australian Government approvals.

On 26 February 2026 the proposal was approved by the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999.

Management plans, strategies and programs

N2NS Phase 2 Project Independent Flood Impact Assessment Panel: Terms of Reference [PDF, 1 MB]

Talk to the Inland Rail team

If you would like to contact Inland Rail’s Narrabri to North Star team, you can either call, send an email or visit one of our offices. We also hold regular events across the region, and you’re welcome to subscribe to our enewsletter.

Phone1800 732 761 during business hours or leave a message and we'll get back to you.
Emailinlandrailnsw@inlandrail.com.au
MailInland Rail Pty Ltd, 85 Maitland Street, Narrabri NSW 2390
Visit85 Maitland Street, Narrabri, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm

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Related

Media release

March 25, 2026

Inland Rail delivers first solar-powered level crossings

Inland Rail has recently upgraded two level crossings to operate on fully solar-powered systems as part of finishing works on the Narrabri to North Star (N2NS) Phase 1 section of the project.
Media release

February 26, 2026

Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 receives Australian Government approval

Inland Rail’s Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 (N2NS Phase 2) section has received Australian Government approval, marking a significant milestone for the project with all New South Wales sections of the project now formally approved.
Media release

December 5, 2025

Inland Rail secures NSW state approval for Narrabri to North Star Phase 2

Inland Rail’s Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 section has received New South Wales government approval, marking a significant milestone for the project with all New South Wales sections now formally approved by the state government.