Major section of Inland Rail opens in time for bumper harvest season

A key section of the Inland Rail has opened ahead of grain harvest season, enabling farmers and producers in North West New South Wales to take advantage of strong agricultural export prices.

Upgrades to a 29km section of the freight line’s Narrabi to North Star section have been completed on time, with the move providing major wins for regional producers and industry in NSW.

Related: Inland Rail to save $170M in transport costs annually, says CSIRO study

Opening the rail line means that traders and packers such as GrainCorp, Arrow, CHS Broadbent and Louis Dreyfus can freight bulk grains from North West NSW for export through the Port of Newcastle and Port Botany.

This is set to help realise Australia’s record growth in agricultural exports.

Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said in a boost for the local industry, fully loaded trains are now departing from Moree.

“Inland Rail’s construction south of Moree has been carefully planned and accelerated to support grain movements during harvest season – allowing industry to move product and access markets while we build the corridor of commerce that can meet future freight demands,” the Acting Prime Minister said.

“The completion of prioritised work along the Narrabri to North Star section will ensure producers can get their products to market and make the most of these bumper prices,” he said.

He continued that higher prices for crops such as cotton, wheat, canola and barley are contributing to Australia’s record agricultural exports, which are forecast at $54.7 billion in 2021-22.

As each section of the track becomes complete, local producers will be able to have access to Inland Rail’s enhanced capability that enables trains to carry longer and heavier loads.

“Once complete, the Melbourne to Brisbane line will provide connection to a network of roads and rail that can increase the resilience of local supply chains and enhance capacity for regional businesses to access new markets for generations to come,” said Finance Minister Simon Birmingham.

In the next stage, between Camurra and North Star, construction is underway as stripping of the old track continues, along with earthworks, lime stabilisation and rail bridge demolition and construction works.

Source: The Hon Barnaby Joyce MP media release