Upcoming geotechnical investigations
In April and May, teams from our contractors Minstaff Surey and CMW Geosciences are completing site investigations on private land potentially suitable for borrow pits (or small quarries) and identifying the location of various services such as water pipes, electric cables, fibre optic cables, gas pipes, drainage and sewage pipelines across Narromine, Gilgandra and Baradine and Narrabri.
March 28, 2025
Our geotechnical investigations at private land locations between Baradine and Narrabri are helping us understand ground conditions at potential quarry sites.
The borehole drilling soil samples we’ve collected for testing have mostly found bedrock at shallow depths.
Analysing soil properties is important to help us determine what construction materials we may need to use to ensure rail track foundation strength and stability.
Soil erosion threshold velocity testing between Narromine and Gilgandra wrapped up in March.
Soil erosion threshold testing is a process in which hydrology specialists analyse soil samples to determine water flow speeds and erosion in different locations. This data will inform the design of drainage structures.
We’ve also completed our remaining geotechnical investigations between Narromine and Coonamble, including:
- 27 boreholes
- 65 test pits
- 3,745 linear meters of seismic surveys.
Crews will take and are scheduled to return to site in May, subject to gaining land access approvals.
In April, locals will also see biodiversity investigation teams, flood level surveyors and utility investigators in the field.
Our work is not possible without the continued support and proactive collaboration from alignment landowners. We appreciate and value your commitment to progressing Inland Rail in the central west.
To see what site investigations are coming up in your area, visit the Narromine to Narrabri site investigations page: inlandrail.info/N2Nwork2025.
