The Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) project was approved by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, meaning the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is closer to beginning construction in late 2024. As Critical State Significant Infrastructure, the project is deemed to be essential to the State’s economy and society.

ARTC will construct up to 39 kilometres of single-track railway for the double-stacked freight trains which will soon travel through the South Western slopes of the Riverina.

The Illabo to Stockinbingal connection is one of seven sections traversing inland NSW. The Inland Rail line will include a crossing loop at Bethungra and connect with the Stockinbingal to Parkes and Lake Cargelligo lines so that goods can also travel along the Main Southern Railway from Sydney to Albury.

The project is expected to create up to 400 jobs to build the new track, bridges and level crossings along the newly approved section with upgrades to a further 3.5 km of existing train track for necessary integration works to the main rail line at Illabo. The project will also involve the construction of infrastructure for communications, drainage, signage, fencing, and temporary worker’s accommodation.

The heritage-listed Bethungra Spiral on the main rail line will be bypassed as part of the project.

The new section will connect to the Inland Rail’s Albury to Illabo proposal in the south and the Stockinbingal to Parkes proposal in the north.

The proposal is a controlled action and requires approval from the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has assessed the project against the EPBC Act under the Bilateral Agreement between the NSW and Australian Government.

The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will now review the NSW approval assessment and the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Water will determine the project under the EPBC Act.

If approved by the Australian Government, work is expected to begin later this year and be completed in 2027.

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said:

“Inland Rail needs the cooperation of the three states it spans so it is great to see regional NSW leading the charge with this approval.

“Planning approval is a significant step for this transformative project to enhance our freight and supply chain capabilities.

“Each section of Inland Rail is a valuable link in the chain of this important national infrastructure.

“Inland Rail promises to be a game changer for inland communities across rural NSW. Once complete, we will be able to move goods much more efficiently to both Melbourne and Brisbane.”

Regional NSW and Western NSW Minister Tara Moriarty said:

“Inland Rail promises to be a game changer for people across rural NSW. 

“Regional communities need big developments to keep workers in the bush and actively contribute to their communities.

“We look forward to Inland Rail continuing its essential journey throughout the state.”

Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said:

“This section of Inland Rail will provide a valuable infrastructure link for the South West Slopes as it connects with this vital piece of national infrastructure.

“The NSW government is working with Inland Rail to deliver this project and strengthen its commitment to the regions.

“Consumers right across regional NSW stand to benefit with valuable cost savings once the Inland Rail project is complete as our state will have a more efficient and sustainable freight transport.”

Duty MLC for Cootamundra Stephen Lawrence said:

"The nearby Albury to Illabo and Stockinbingal to Parkes sections of the Inland Rail project have injected more than $4.2 million into the local economy with many businesses receiving a timely economic boost during a cost-of-living crisis.

"I'm encouraged by this next significant project milestone for communities across the South West Slopes.

"Once finished, Inland Rail will provide faster, more reliable freight and safer, less congested roads.”