Planning approval documents

Inland Rail has now received all primary environmental approvals from the NSW and Australian governments to progress the Illabo to Stockinbingal section.

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

Environmental Impact Statement

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Illabo to Stockinbingal was on public display in September and October 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.

 

Federal planning approval

The Illabo to Stockinbingal section was approved by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water on 28 October 2024 under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999:

Illabo to Stockinbingal Notification of Approval Decision EPBC 2018-8233

State planning approval

The Illabo to Stockinbingal project was approved by DPHI on 6 September 2024. The following documents support the state planning approval.

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

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

This report outlines the mitigation measures that would be implemented to avoid or minimise the potential impacts of the project.

This document addresses potential impacts which arise through habitat clearing necessary for construction of the Illabo to Stockinbingal section.

This document outlines for the Illabo to Stockinbingal section will avoid, minimise and offset impacts upon native vegetation or threatened species listed under the New South Wales Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017.

This letter relates to the findings on a site audit regarding the Unexpected and Incidental Finds Protocols and Procedures established by contractor John Holland for the Illabo to Stockinbingal section of Inland Rail.

Environment protection license

Project delivery plans and assessments

This document sets out the ethical standards (Reference Appendix A) that employees, contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers are expected to adhere to in the construction site and throughout their interactions with the local community.

 

Stage 1

Stage 2

Secondary approvals

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 Illabo to Stockinbingal section of Inland Rail.

ENQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS MANAGEMENT FACT SHEET

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.

Community Communication Strategy

Compliance monitoring and auditing

This Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water fact sheet provides an overview of the compliance monitoring and auditing program in place for projects referred under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

View: Compliance Monitoring and Auditing Fact Sheet

Reports and supporting data:

October, 2025: Illabo to Stockinbingal EPBC Annual Compliance Report [PDF 730 kB]

Related

January 9, 2026

Inland Rail delivers local jobs in Cootamundra

Cootamundra locals have secured full-time roles with John Holland on the Inland Rail Illabo to Stockinbingal section, following their successful completion of the Inland Rail Skills Academy’s Rail Readiness course.

December 18, 2025

Inland Rail releases latest design for Illabo to Stockinbingal section

Inland Rail is inviting the community to explore a newly released 3D fly-through of the Stockinbingal area, showing a level crossing, bridges, culverts and a grade separation, and road realignment on Burley Griffin Way.

December 16, 2025

Illabo to Stockinbingal: Connecting with the next generation

Throughout October and November, students from public schools along the Illabo to Stockinbingal alignment experienced what it’s like to be part of a construction team.