The Australia Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has awarded the $13.5 million contract for feasibility design work between Narromine and Narrabri on Inland Rail to a Jacobs/GHD IR Joint Venture.
Federal Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann said the contract is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to strengthen private sector investment in regional communities.
“There is plenty of community interest in the design of Inland Rail,” Mr. Cormann said.
“As these contracts are awarded and feasibility designs progress, more detail will become available, building on preliminary investigations and community engagement already carried out by the ARTC.”
Assistant Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment and Member for Parkes Mark Coulton welcomed the announcement that work on the Environmental Impact Assessment will commence in coming months.
“This is critical work which will help to narrow the current preferred study corridor from up to five kilometres to a final alignment of 40–60 metres,” Mr. Coulton said.
Construction works on the Narromine to Narrabri section will not commence until all necessary approvals have been received in approximately two years’ time.
Construction on the Parkes to Narromine section of the 1700-kilometre-long project is set to commence this year.
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