INLAND RAIL IS RIGHT ON TRACK As we race towards the end of another unprecedented year where we've faced new COVID outbreaks, travel restrictions, record rainfall, floods and even a mouse plague, Inland Rail has come ahead in leaps and bounds and delivered on its commitments. The Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 project is currently finalising the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS. Through the EIS a range of topics are examined including noise, hydrology and social impacts. The Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 project will include the replacement of the heritage rail bridges over the Mehi and Gwydir rivers, and public exhibition of the EIS will happen next year. Being the largest freight rail infrastructure project in Australia is no easy feat. Hundreds of suppliers, thousands of people and billions of dollars have contributed to the project to date. With exciting developments on both the Narromine to Narrabri and Narrabri to North Star sections this year, we're looking forward to the new job opportunities and economic boost to regional communities Inland Rail will continue to produce as we head into 2022. Construction on the Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 is anticipated to commence in 2024 and will create new jobs and economic opportunities. Ms Pickering said the contractors will be seeking partnerships with businesses and skilled operators to support project delivery such as transport operators, fencing contractors, quarries, earthworks and electrical companies. "This is a crucial program of civil works with approximately 100km of rail corridor within the Central package of Inland Rail, including the bridge that spans the Macintyre River which serves as the border between the two states. We'll also need a large local workforce to support this part of the project with an estimated 500 workers needed at the peak of construction," she said. There's no doubt the Inland Rail project has breathed new life into regional economies, with more than 2,600 people working on the project to date and more than $2.2 billioncommitted to over 400 companies across Australia. Most recently working with Trans4m Rail we've delivered on time a key 29km section on the Narrabri to North Star section of Inland Rail, just as harvest kicked off. Rebecca Pickering, Interim Chief Executive of Inland Rail, ARTC, said working with the community was absolutely critical in delivering to schedule, despite obvious challenges over the year. "We made a commitment to farmers a year ago when we started construction that we would deliver this As we wind down for 2021 and look forward to section in time for harvest so farming operations were not interfered with, 2022 there's one thing that's for certain; despite rain, hail or shine, unprecedented pandemics or harsh travel restrictions, Inland Rail will continue to deliver and service the people of Australia. "Althoughithasn't beenasmoothride with lockdowns, rainfall, floods and travel restrictions, the fact that we were able to stand there as the first grain train took off on 1 November is a huge testament to the team and all contractors involved in the work," Ms Pickering said. In another major milestone this year, ARTC engaged Freight Connect (a consortium led by Laing O'Rourke and including FKG Group) to deliver the Inland Rail Central Civil Works Program. To find out more about Inland Rail visit the website www.inlandrail.com.au The Central works package incorporates Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 (Moree to Camurra North), North Star to Border and Border to Whetstone in Queensland. North Star to Border is expected to commence construction towards the end of 2022. ARTC INLAND RAIL= An Australian Government Initiative INLAND RAIL IS RIGHT ON TRACK As we race towards the end of another unprecedented year where we've faced new COVID outbreaks, travel restrictions, record rainfall, floods and even a mouse plague, Inland Rail has come ahead in leaps and bounds and delivered on its commitments. The Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 project is currently finalising the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS. Through the EIS a range of topics are examined including noise, hydrology and social impacts. The Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 project will include the replacement of the heritage rail bridges over the Mehi and Gwydir rivers, and public exhibition of the EIS will happen next year. Being the largest freight rail infrastructure project in Australia is no easy feat. Hundreds of suppliers, thousands of people and billions of dollars have contributed to the project to date. With exciting developments on both the Narromine to Narrabri and Narrabri to North Star sections this year, we're looking forward to the new job opportunities and economic boost to regional communities Inland Rail will continue to produce as we head into 2022. Construction on the Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 is anticipated to commence in 2024 and will create new jobs and economic opportunities. Ms Pickering said the contractors will be seeking partnerships with businesses and skilled operators to support project delivery such as transport operators, fencing contractors, quarries, earthworks and electrical companies. "This is a crucial program of civil works with approximately 100km of rail corridor within the Central package of Inland Rail, including the bridge that spans the Macintyre River which serves as the border between the two states. We'll also need a large local workforce to support this part of the project with an estimated 500 workers needed at the peak of construction," she said. There's no doubt the Inland Rail project has breathed new life into regional economies, with more than 2,600 people working on the project to date and more than $2.2 billioncommitted to over 400 companies across Australia. Most recently working with Trans4m Rail we've delivered on time a key 29km section on the Narrabri to North Star section of Inland Rail, just as harvest kicked off. Rebecca Pickering, Interim Chief Executive of Inland Rail, ARTC, said working with the community was absolutely critical in delivering to schedule, despite obvious challenges over the year. "We made a commitment to farmers a year ago when we started construction that we would deliver this As we wind down for 2021 and look forward to section in time for harvest so farming operations were not interfered with, 2022 there's one thing that's for certain; despite rain, hail or shine, unprecedented pandemics or harsh travel restrictions, Inland Rail will continue to deliver and service the people of Australia. "Althoughithasn't beenasmoothride with lockdowns, rainfall, floods and travel restrictions, the fact that we were able to stand there as the first grain train took off on 1 November is a huge testament to the team and all contractors involved in the work," Ms Pickering said. In another major milestone this year, ARTC engaged Freight Connect (a consortium led by Laing O'Rourke and including FKG Group) to deliver the Inland Rail Central Civil Works Program. To find out more about Inland Rail visit the website www.inlandrail.com.au The Central works package incorporates Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 (Moree to Camurra North), North Star to Border and Border to Whetstone in Queensland. North Star to Border is expected to commence construction towards the end of 2022. ARTC INLAND RAIL= An Australian Government Initiative