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.
February 26, 2026
Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 section alignment at Skinners Creek, looking south towards Moree town center.
The N2NS Phase 2 project was assessed by the Australian Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
With primary regulatory approvals in place, Inland Rail will continue to work with the design services contractor, joint venture partners Arcadis BG&E, to progress the design of the N2NS Phase 2 project.
N2NS Phase 2 includes the upgrade of approximately 12km of existing rail track and formation across the Gwydir Valley floodplain, north of Moree, and the construction of around 1.6km of greenfield rail track to bypass the existing Camurra Hairpin. The proposal also includes construction of a new 1.3km spur to maintain connection to the Weemelah line.
Key rail design elements will include upgraded and new rail alignments, upgraded rail bridges, additional culverts across floodplains and waterways, upgraded level crossings and earthworks.
Trains can now travel faster on parts of the rail line between Narrabri and North Star which have already been upgraded as part of the Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 works, completed in 2023.
Inland Rail is a 1,600km fast freight rail line, now under construction, that will link Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The route has been divided into 12 sections, to allow for a staged delivery of the open-access fast freight rail line.
Future decisions on the delivery of Inland Rail north of Narromine are under consideration by the Australian Government.
