Planning approval documents
ARTC has received planning approval from the Australian and NSW Governments for Inland Rail’s Narrabri to North Star project. We have developed a range of documents for managing the design and construction of the Narrabri to North Star project.
Environmental Impact Statement
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 was on public display in late 2017. During this time the community had the opportunity to make a submission about the project to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) as part of its assessment of the project.
The EIS for Phase 2 was on public display in October and November 2022 and is currently progressing through the approvals process.
Federal planning approval
The Narrabri to North Star project was approved by the Department of Agriculture Water and the Environment on 1 October 2020 under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: Narrabri to North Star decision on approval of action: Approved with conditions.
State planning approval
The Narrabri to North Star project was approved by DPE on 13 August 2020. The following documents support the state planning approval.
- DPE Conditions of Approval of Inland Rail – Narrabri to North Star Phase 1
- DPE Conditions of Approval of Inland Rail – Narrabri to North Star Phase 1: Modification Application (Instrument of Modification)
- DPE Conditions of Approval of Inland Rail – Narrabri to North Star Phase 1: Modification Application (Consolidated Instrument of Approval)
Further Phase 1 project applications and documents are available on the NSW Government’s Major Projects website.
Environment protection licences (EPLs)
- Environment Protection Licence issued to Trans4m Rail by the NSW Environment Protection Authority
- Environment Protection Licence issued to the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) by the NSW Environment Protection Authority
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
This report identifies and illustrates the location of all public level crossings and provides details such as the treatment required, measures to avoid short stacking, justification of any closures and assessment of road risks.
- Narrabri to North Star Traffic Connectivity MCoA cover letter – February 2022
- Narrabri to North Star Traffic Connectivity MCoA report – February 2022
This report assesses the traffic impacts of the N2NS project to satisfy the Ministers Conditions of Approval. It includes a risk assessment of connectivity issues with local emergency services and other stakeholders and consultation with the wider community.
This report assesses flood behaviour within the local catchments crossed by the project, within the Namoi, Gwydir and Macintyre River basins, including estimates of flood levels and velocities for existing and design conditions.
Construction Environmental Management Plan
The Construction Environmental Management Plan and sub-plans describe how construction activities will be managed to minimise any impacts to the surrounding environment and community.
Details the key management and mitigation measures that will be implemented by Trans4m Rail in order to minimise and manage the potential impacts from construction traffic.
Details the key mitigation measures that will be implemented by Trans4m Rail in order to minimise and manage any flood impacts during construction.
Details the key mitigation measures that will be implemented by Trans4m Rail in order to minimise and manage the noise and vibration impacts during construction.
Describes the key mitigation measures that will be implemented in order to minimise and manage the soil and water impacts associated with construction of Phase 1 of the Narrabri to North Star Project.
- Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 Construction Biodiversity Management Sub Plan – Revision 6
- Narrabri to North Star – Construction Biodiversity Management Sub-Plan – letter
Details the key management and mitigation measures that will be implemented by Trans4m Rail in order to minimise and manage the potential construction impacts on flora and fauna during construction.
Details the key mitigation measures that details the key mitigation measures that will be implemented by Trans4m Rail in order to minimise and manage construction impacts on heritage items during construction of the N2NS project.
Independent environmental audit
These documents report results of independent environmental audits conducted of the Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 Project
- Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 Independent Environmental Audit: Audit 1 – Start of Construction
- Response to Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 Independent Environmental Audit findings
- Response to Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 Independent Environmental Audit findings and request for information
- Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 Independent Environmental Audit: Audit 2 – Construction letter
- Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 Independent Environmental Audit: Audit 2 – Construction findings
- Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 Independent Environmental Audit: Audit 3 – Construction letter
- Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 Independent Environmental Audit: Audit 3 – Construction findings
- Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 Independent Environmental Audit: Audit 4 – Construction letter
- Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 Independent Environmental Audit: Audit 4 – Construction findings
- Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 Independent Environmental Audit: Audit 5 – Construction letter
- Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 Independent Environmental Audit: Audit 5 – Construction findings
Construction Monitoring Reports
- Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project: Six Monthly Construction Monitoring Report (April to October 2021)
- Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project: Operational Staging Report (October 2021)
- Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project: Six Monthly Construction Monitoring Report (October 2021 to April 2022)
- Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project: Six Monthly Construction Monitoring Report (May to October 2022)
- Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project: Six Monthly Construction Monitoring Report (November 2022 to April 2023)
- Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project: Six Monthly Construction Monitoring Report (May-October 2023)
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 Narrabri to North Star 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.
Compliance monitoring and auditing
This Department of Agriculture Water and the Environment 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).
Site Establishment Management Plan
This document details the strategy for managing all potential environmental impacts for all site establishment works associated with Trans4m Rail’s Construction Ancillary Facilities, intersections and access road. The Plan includes measures to avoid or minimise potential impacts.
Operations: Narrabri to North Star
The following document relates to the operational stage of the Narrrabri to North Star section:
Phase 1 Operational Staging Report
Phase 1 Operational Environmental Management Framework (OEMF)
