Status
Project Stage
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- 5 Detailed design, early works and construction
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Once a construction contract is awarded, the construction contractor conducts further environmental and technical investigations to validate and enhance the existing reference design.
Early works, such as establishing construction material…
Learn moreAlbury to Illabo Environmental Impact Statement
Inland Rail receives NSW Government environment approval for Albury to Illabo section
In October 2024, Inland Rail was granted approval by the New South Wales Government to carry out activities described in within the Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Albury to Illabo section.
The CSSI EIS approval contains conditions which ensure specific performance outcomes are achieved and reported on by Inland Rail.
This significant milestone paves the way for major construction to commence and is a key step in our staged approach to delivering the sections of Inland Rail from Beveridge, Victoria to Parkes, NSW by 2027.
You can view the Planning Secretary’s Assessment Report and Project’s Conditions of Approval on the NSW Government Planning Portal website.
Next steps:
With all primary regulatory approvals now in place, Inland Rail will prepare the environmental and social management plans, permits and licenses, which are required before any major construction can start.
This will involve further research and field surveys, progressing the Albury to Illabo section’s design and extensive consultation with NSW and Australian government agencies and key stakeholders such as councils and emergency services.
Keeping you informed about progress on the Albury to Illabo section is important to us. We remain committed to working with the community and key stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes for the region.
The Environmental Impact Statement approval process
October 2024
Project received NSW Government approval
February 2024
PIR Response to Submissions (RtS) report lodged with DPHI
November 2023
Preferred Infrastructure Report (PIR) and EIS Response to Submission (RtS) report lodged with DPHI
August 2022
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) lodged with DPHI
March 2021
Project status upgraded to Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI)
October 2020
DPHI issued a Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs)
May 2020
Project classified as State Significant Infrastructure (SSI) by DPHI
April 2020
State Significant Infrastructure (SSI) and Scoping Report lodged with DPHI
From August 2018, Inland Rail consulted with stakeholders and worked with technical experts to develop the Albury to Illabo project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The EIS supported an application for approval of the Proposal under division 5.2 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). It addressed the environmental assessment requirements set by the Secretary of the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).
The EIS outlines the project’s key features, assesses its potential environmental and social impacts during construction and operation, and offers proposed mitigation measures. It captures feedback from landowner consultation and other stakeholders such as councils, industry and the wider community
The Albury to Illabo project’s EIS was on public exhibition from 17 August 2022 to 28 September 2022. The exhibition resulted in 155 public and agency comments submitted to DPHI and we thank all parties for taking the time to lodge submissions.
In April 2023, the Planning Secretary directed Inland Rail in accordance with section 5.17(b) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) to provide a Preferred Infrastructure Report (PIR) to further address traffic and transport, noise and vibration, and air quality impacts.
In November 2023, a PIR and EIS Response to Submissions Report were formally lodged with DPHI.
The PIR was placed on public exhibition from 15 November 2023 to 6 December 2023. The reports outline proposed amendments to further reduce impacts identified in the Project’s EIS and respond to feedback from the community, key stakeholders and EIS submissions.
A total of 44 submissions were received from the general public, community organisations and public authorities (local councils), along with advice from 10 NSW government departments and agencies.
In October, 2024, Inland Rail received approval from the NSW Minister for Planning to progress the Albury to Illabo section of Inland Rail.
Assessment process for New South Wales major projects
This fact sheet outlines the key steps in assessing Inland Rail major projects in New South Wales.
