The ARTC are expected to respond to issues identified from members of the public regarding the Narromine to Narrabri Inland Rail Project Environmental Impact Statement, "shortly".
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The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) - the government-owned statutory corporation delivering the Inland Rail project - say they expect to soon finalise several reports including their response to submissions report and a preferred infrastructure report/amendment report.
Public submissions regarding the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Narromine to Narrabri (N2N) section of Inland rail was released earlier this year by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
The N2N project is Inland Rail's longest greenfield section, with 306 kilometres of new rail which will travel through Burroway, Curban, Mt Tenandra and Baradine.
Nearly three-quarters of 86 public submissions opposed the project, concerned it would threaten home valuation, risk ecological damage and not accommodate for flooding.
The EIS forecasts that the new rail line will indeed affect the course of floodwaters, though not very much. The assessment estimates a total of 22 sensitive buildings in Narrabri and Narromine - homes, educational, health or community facilities or businesses - would flood an additional 10 to 100mm during a flood. All but one of them already flood.
A spokesperson for the ARTC explained the planning secretary may request a preferred infrastructure report if an aspect of a project or its EIS needs to be modified to address issues raised in the submissions phase or during the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment's detailed assessment of the project.
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The purpose of the preferred infrastructure report is to outline these changes and help the community, government agencies and Department of Planning, Industry and Environment understand the implications of any such changes.
The N2N preferred infrastructure report will provide additional information on project design development. It will also further address hydrology and flooding impacts, including proposed mitigation measures, particularly around the townships of Narromine and Narrabri.
Once submitted, these reports will be made publicly available on the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and Inland Rail websites.
The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment will then complete its assessment of the project in accordance with government legislation, policies, and guidelines.
A recommendation will be made by them to approve the project, including either conditions of consent or reasons for refusal, and refer to the minister or delegate for determination.
Construction of the N2N section of inland rail is expected to begin in 2022 pending relevant approvals. Trains are expected to be operational in 2025.
ARTC Inland Rail NSW Stakeholder Engagement Manager Patricio Munoz said they welcome any questions from the community on any aspect of Inland Rail.
"During the current EIS period ARTC remains active within the N2N corridor from a stakeholder engagement perspective undertaking a range of engagement activities, including one-on-one consultations with individual landholders, as well as continuing design work," Mr Munoz said.