Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 section update – March 2025
Inland Rail site investigation and survey programs across the Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 alignment are continuing in 2025.
March 28, 2025
Our contractor Macquarie Geotech has been conducting geotechnical investigations at various locations to help us confirm soil types and earth structures.
The teams have braved the elements and heavy rain and we’d like to thank the community for their continued patience and cooperation as some work schedules have changed at the last minute.
Further geotechnical investigations will occur after cotton picking season in April to ensure there’s no impact on operations.
One shining light among all the downpours happened when a member of the Macquarie Geotech team helped rescue and return a dog to its owner after it was spotted wandering near the alignment. Great work team!
Erosion threshold investigations wrap up
Our Erosion Threshold Velocity (ETV) investigations wrapped up in February at four sites over a two-day period.
ETV testing provides information about erosion at known flooding areas that will inform our mitigation measures for flood impacts during detailed design.
Soil sampling was completed according to schedule, and we are awaiting results back from the testing lab.
We’d again like to thank those landowners whose properties we accessed for their excellent guidance around their property.
Hydrology doorknocks continuing
A big thank you to all the landowners we visited recently to discuss upcoming surveys to measure floor levels of some properties near the proposed Inland Rail alignment.
If you receive a letter from Inland Rail regarding these hydrology surveys, please call 1800 732 761 or email our Stakeholder Engagement teams on inlandrailnsw@inlandrail.com.au and we’ll step you through what’s involved.
Insights and data from these surveys will help us refine our understanding of the local hydrology environment and flooding impacts.
Environmental approvals progress
Specialist ecologists recently completed site investigations to spot the grey snake and completed studies of vegetation areas identified as potential koala habitats.
Outcomes from these investigations and studies will be included in a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report for the Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 segment that Inland Rail will issue to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).
This follows a request for further information from DPHI received following submission of the Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 Preferred Infrastructure and Response to Submissions reports in late 2024.
