NSW/Qld Border to Gowrie Section update – December 2024
As 2024 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on our achievements across the NSW/Qld Border to Gowrie section and thank all project communities for their continued cooperation, patience and feedback as we move closer to achieving environmental approvals.
December 20, 2024
That’s a wrap for 2024!
Our teams were active in communities this year undertaking vital site investigations and surveys that will help to refine the NSW/Qld Border to Gowrie section’s designs and provide more clarity around its scope and cost.
This year we undertook:
- Nine Erosion Threshold Velocity (ETV) testing sites to understand erosion impacts in known flood-prone areas. This data will guide detailed designs and measures to mitigate flooding effects on local communities.
- 2435 hours for detailed surveys and utilities investigations
- 13 field studies including ecological surveys.
Update on the revised draft EIS
During the year, we made significant progress on the NSW/Qld Border to Gowrie section’s revised draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
In November, we submitted all documents to the Queensland Coordinator-General (CG) for its adequacy review.
Subject to the CG’s feedback and final information updates, the CG may determine a public consultation period during which stakeholders can consider the EIS documents, attend community information sessions and make submissions on the revised draft NSW/Qld Border to Gowrie EIS.
The timing for public consultation will be determined by the CG and we will provide project communities with more information once a determination is made.
Meeting our communities
In 2024, we attended seven agricultural shows, 16 community group meetings and held nine drop-in sessions to talk to project communities about the progress of Inland Rail. Thank you for dropping by and showing interest.
In August, we conducted aerial drone surveys around Yelarbon to collect topographical data for hydrology modelling.
We visited Yelarbon State School for a fun and educational morning, showcasing drone technology and its unique uses on Inland Rail. The students witnessed first-hand how modern technology is shaping the future of rail infrastructure.
In October, we welcomed back Stakeholder Engagement Lead Emily Louden. After 10 months away on maternity leave, Emily was excited to be back advocating for community needs along the project alignment.
In November, our Goondiwindi-based team, including our latest recruit, receptionist Nat Woods, moved to a new office at 28 Marshall Street, Goondiwindi.
Looking ahead to 2025
Early in the New Year, teams will continue our program of surveys and investigations at various locations along the NSW/Qld Border to Gowrie alignment.
To keep up to date with upcoming site investigations, please visit our works notifications page on the Inland Rail website.
We’d like to thank all landowners for their continued support and collaboration throughout 2024 as we’ve completed various investigations.
We understand that these activities can be a distraction from ongoing property operations and we will continue to work proactively with landowners to ensure our land access requests are communicated transparently and that we minimise any impacts on properties during this time.
Holiday office hours
Our Toowoomba and Goondiwindi offices will be closed from midday Tuesday 24 December 2024 to Monday 6 January 2025. For enquiries during this time, please call 1800 732 761.
On behalf of Inland Rail, we’d like to wish you and yours a safe and restful festive season and we look forward to working with many of you in 2025 to progress our environmental approvals.
Questions?
For more information about the NSW/Qld Border to Gowrie section, please reach out to our Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Manager, Zeb Dawson via zdawson@artc.com.au.
