Narromine to Narrabri: Autumn 2025 Update
Read the latest news from the Narromine to Narrabri section of Inland Rail. Find out about where we are conducting investigations works, as well as how the community can get in touch with our team.
March 23, 2025
Site investigations update
Our ongoing schedule of site investigations and surveys along the Narromine to Narrabri section is continuing in 2025 at multiple locations.
Soil erosion testing between Narromine and Gilgandra wrapped up in March.
Hydrology specialists are now analysing the samples collected to determine water flow speeds in different locations. This data will inform the design of drainage structures.
We’ve completed geotechnical investigations between Narromine and Coonamble, including:
- 27 boreholes,
- 65 test pits and
- 3,745 linear meters of seismic surveys.
Crews will take a well-earned break and are scheduled to return to site in May, subject to gaining land access approvals.
Meanwhile, the borrow pit geotechnical team completed their scope around Gilgandra and are now progressing to sites between Baradine and Narrabri.
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.
Utility investigations overview
Next month, we kick off a program of utility investigations in the southern part of the Narrabri to Narromine section.
These investigations identify and map services to prevent damage during future construction and prevent dangerous and costly accidents.
We will locate water pipes, electric cables, fiber optic cables, gas pipes, drainage and sewage pipelines. Our work will also include confirming the height of all overhead power lines.
Our contractor MinStaff Survey will deploy a small crew of field surveyors to collect the data. Here’s what you may see if you spot the team on site:
- Service locators using equipment like a Ground Penetrating Radar or an Electromagnetic Locator to identify depth and position of underground utilities.
- Technicians using hand tools or a vacuum truck to expose below ground utilities. Vacuum trucks use high pressure water and suction to remove material to expose services in the ground, particularly sensitive utilities like gas or electric cables.
- Wooden stakes in the ground identifying utility locations. Markings will indicate utility type, depth and direction the utility runs.
Once the field work is completed, the data will inform preliminary designs and help determine if the utility will need to be lowered, protected, removed or relocated.
To see our current and upcoming program of work, visit our works notifications page.
Gradulate Spotlight: David Cresswell
In 2021, Inland Rail partnered with Engineers Australia to build our Graduate Development Program, enabling the best young minds to contribute to Australia’s largest rail infrastructure project.
Four years later, a top recruit has graduated as a Project Engineer and is working on site.
Meet David Cresswell.
Pop by and see us!
We’ll return to your local Ag shows in May.
Catch us at:
- Narrabri Show (3 May),
- Gilgandra Show (10 May)
- and in Narromine (30 August).
Our community shopfront remains open every weekday, at 85 Maitland Street, Narrabri. Pop by and get the latest news on Inland Rail.
You can also contact us by:
Phone: 1800 732 761
Keeping you informed about the Narromine to Narrabri section’s design development and our proposed impact mitigation actions is important to us, and we will continue working with the community to ensure the best possible outcomes for the region.
