Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 section update: Spring 2025
We’ve had a busy few months since our last update, completing investigations and finalising environmental planning approvals. We’ve also taken the next steps towards further refining engineering designs for the Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 section.
October 8, 2025
The rail bridge slated for replacement next to the Newell Highway Road bridge over the Gwydir River
The Environmental Impact Statement and associated documents are close to being finalised. We’re working closely with the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) and will shortly submit everything to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces for approval. We expect a decision in the coming weeks. Once that’s in, the planning proposal will be referred to the Australian Government for review under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999.
We’ll let the community know as soon as the NSW Government makes its determination.
Our planned field investigations and surveys are now complete, except for one site north of Moree. Starting 13 October, we’ll carry out geotechnical investigations in the rail corridor at Skinners Creek to better understand ground conditions.
Crews will be on-site for about a week, drilling boreholes and conducting ground surveys. This data will help shape the engineering design for the rail bridge and surrounding infrastructure.
This quarter our consulting geologists and surveyors will be analysing and reporting on all the data already gathered during this year’s field investigations. The information will be used in the new year to refine the design of the whole Phase 2 alignment.
In June, Inland Rail appointed engineering consultants ArcB Design JV, comprising Arcadis and BG&E, to deliver design services for 23km of alignment between Tapscott Road, Moree and Camurra.
The contract includes the Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 section (Alice Street to Camurra) and the Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 Tapscott Road to Alice Street segment. The 8km Phase 1 segment was descoped from overall Phase 1 construction project completed in 2023.
Initial focus for the designers will be on the Tapscott Road to Alice Street segment before work on Phase 2 starts, subject to environmental approvals.
Read more about the Tapscott Road to Alice Street segment on our website
Segment map
