The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Narrabri to North Star section of the Inland Rail project is now on public exhibition and now members of the Narrabri, Moree, North Star and Croppa Creek communities are invited to have their say at information sessions over the next two weeks.

Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) programme delivery manager NSW/VIC for Inland Rail Olivia Newman said that ARTC’s project team members will be on hand at the sessions to answer questions about the Narrabri to North Star project and the EIS process.

“ARTC has been working closely with the community and we are very grateful for the support, feedback and land access they have provided which has helped us draft the EIS,” she said.

“The information sessions are open to everyone and I strongly encourage people to attend so they can learn more about Inland Rail, the benefits it will bring and the next steps.

“We also encourage community members to make submissions as part of this EIS process. We welcome local information which will result in the best possible project outcome for this region and the country.”

The Narrabri to North Star section will make use of 185km of existing track and require 3km of new track. Works are expected to include reconstruction of the existing track, replacement of bridges and culverts, enhanced level crossings and crossing loops.

Moree Plains Shire Council’s executive projects manager John Carleton said the EIS describes the project, the potential impacts and how ARTC and NSW Planning and Environmental Department propose to manage these impacts during construction of the Inland Railway between Narrabri and North Star.

“This is a great opportunity for the community to have a look at the project and make comment on the environmental assessment,” he said.

Drop-in information sessions will be hosted by ARTC in Narrabri at 3pm to 6pm on Tuesday, November 21 and 9am to 12pm on Wednesday, November 29 at the Crossing Theatre; in Moree at 9am to 12pm on Wednesday, November 22 and 3pm to 6pm on Tuesday, November 28 at Balo Square; in North Star at 3pm to 6pm on Wednesday, November 22 and 9am to 12pm on Thursday, November 30 at North Star Sporting Club; and Croppa Creek at 1pm to 2pm on Wednesday, November 22 at the Croppa Creek Store.

Submissions can be made until December 15.

The Moree community can view the EIS at Moree Plains Shire Council’s customer service centre, the Moree Community Library and the Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre.

To view the EIS go to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment website http://www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au. For more information on the Narrabri to North Star Inland Rail project go to http://www.inlandrail.artc.com.au/N2NS or call 1800 732 761 or email inlandrailenquiries@artc.com.au.