Politicians in the state by-elections at Cootamundra and Murray campaigning for a change to the Inland Rail route are fighting a losing battle, according to Mark Coulton.
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The federal Member for Parkes said the line has been determined, and their push to either re-direct the Melbourne-to-Brisbane project through Narrandera or push for a new route won’t be successful.
The Nationals candidate for Murray Austin Evans proposed proposed a re-route. Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party candidate for Murray, Helen Dalton, and candidate for Cootamundra Matthew Stadtmiller, also supported the suggestion, backed by their party.
Mr Coulton assured Parkes and Narromine their role in the project is set in stone, with minor work already being conducted and official construction expected to start in 2018.
“The route is decided, not right down to the final corridor, but the route has. The reality is the line, all except for 30 kilometres near Cootamundra, is mostly set,” he said.
Large sections of the line will look to utilise existing infrastructure, but Mr Coulton said new construction would largely be north of Parkes.
“The expressions of interest for the construction of the Parkes to Narromine section is in process,” he said.
“The EIS for Narrabri to North Star is out, and I’m sure we will see construction on those areas next year.”
One of Mr Coulton’s immediate goals is to try and help farmers between Narromine and Narrabri, who are uncertain about land acquisition.
“That’s a big issue because that’s where there is no railway line at all and obviously people are uncertain about the impact on their properties, what the compensation will be, what disruption and what time frame for construction,” he said.
“Getting that greenfields site through is the crunch and I have great sympathy for people in that area.
“For the sake of the farmers on that 300 kilometres between Narromine and Narrabri we need to put some surety around what is happening there. I’m hopeful we can get that sorted by the end of this year.”
Mr Coulton said while those in the south of the state may have been disappointed they weren’t directly on the path of the inland rail, there were still possibilities to be involved, either with a connecting line or short road transport.
“People have got to realise this is the spine. You don’t have to have it on your line and running through your town to have contact with it and benefit from it,” he said.
Mr Coulton said it was the same message he had for industry in Dubbo, who he said should be working out now how they can utilise the $10 billion line.
