Planning approval documents

Inland Rail has now received all primary environmental approvals from the NSW government to progress the Albury to Illabo section.

We have developed a range of documents for managing the design, construction and operation of the Albury to Illabo section.

Environmental Impact Statement

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Albury to Illabo was on public display in August and September 2022. During this time the community had the opportunity to make a submission about the project to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) as part of its assessment of the project.

In April 2023, DPHI directed Inland Rail to provide a Preferred Infrastructure Report (PIR) that further assessed traffic and transport, noise and vibration, and air quality. The PIR was on public display in November 2023, with DPHI accepting further submissions.

In October 2024, the Albury to Illabo section received NSW Government approval after the Planning Minister approved the EIS and supporting documents.

State planning approval

The Albury to Illabo project was approved by DPHI in October 2024. The following documents support the state planning approval.

Further project applications and documents are available on the NSW Government’s Major Projects website.

Environment protection licence (EPL)

Sustainability policy

Inland Rail is committed to working sustainably on all projects along the alignment, as outlined in the Environment and Sustainability Policy. As such, we require our contractors to make the same commitment.

Technical reports

The EIS outlines how the Albury to Illabo section will impact the environment and how the impacts will be avoided, minimised or offset.

This report documents and considers the issues raised in community, government agencies, organisations and other submissions received by DPHI during public exhibition of the EIS

This report documents further assessed traffic and transport, noise and vibration, and air quality. It considers changes to the exhibited proposal that have arisen as a consequence of these further assessments and related submissions.

This report documents and considers the issues raised in community, government agencies, organisations and other submissions received by DPHI during public exhibition of the PIR.

This report provides an assessment of biodiversity values of the subject land for the Inland Rail Albury to Illabo proposal.

This document provides Inland Rail’s response to DPHI’s request for additional information on air quality matters.

These reports provide an assessment of biodiversity values of the subject land for the Inland Rail Albury to Illabo proposal.

Project Delivery Plans and Assessments

 

Stage A

Stage B

Stage C

Independent environmental audit

These documents report results of independent environmental audits conducted on the Albury to Illabo section.

Secondary Approvals

Construction Noise and Vibration Impact Statements:

EIS Consistency Assessment Reports

Minor and Small Scale:

Flood Design Reports:

Other assessments and reports:

Urban Design and Landscape Plans

Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Reports

Noise and Vibration Monthly Reports

Environmental Representative Monthly Reports

Communication strategy and engagement

This document outlines our approach to working with the community and how we will manage and respond to any enquiries or complaints that we receive, as we build the Albury to Illabo section of Inland Rail.

This document describes how the project will identify and engage with key stakeholders during construction, and how the project will receive community feedback and keep the community informed of construction progress.

Social Impact Management Plan Quarterly Progress Reports

Related

Media release

April 28, 2026

Kemp Street bridge construction update

Junee locals will get the chance to see the progress on the construction of the new Kemp Street bridge in their town with Inland Rail releasing a new video showing how far delivery of the new bridge has come.
Media release

April 28, 2026

Inland Rail works ramp up during major track possession

Inland Rail will use an upcoming 96-hour closure of the Australian Rail Track Corporation Sydney to Melbourne line to deliver a substantial program of construction works across the Albury to Illabo section in southern New South Wales.
Media release

March 4, 2026

Wagga Wagga reaches key Inland Rail milestone with removal of Edmondson Street bridge

Inland Rail has successfully demolished the Edmondson Street bridge in Wagga Wagga, delivering another major milestone for the Inland Rail project.