Inland Rail - Narromine to Narrabri

Line be placed out of town which does not disrupt people property and livelihood

Agricultral land in Australia needs to be protected and treated as the commodity it is. If there is an option for a railtrack with less impact on the local farming community, then it should be prioritised. We have had a hard couple of years, and need to be shown the respect and support that we deserve.

To move rail to alternative route further out of town (Narrabri)

This project wants to run through property’s of local residents of Narrabri. A lot of whom have lived in their homes for many years. It would be appropriate to move this project further out from that area as there in an alternative route. Land owners have horses, cattle and crops that this project could effect in a negative way. We need to think of our locals

Put it further out of town, on an alternative route.

I object to this project

I am opposed to the current approach rout selected for the Narrabri West area. In particular the surrounding area of Island Road. Which is approximately 800 metres from my farm which backs onto the opposite side of the Namoi River, 98 and 100 Genanagie Street, Narrabri. My family have owned property in Genanagie Street for over 100 years retaining the family farm “Dunvile”.
The Rail freight corridor will impact dramatically on our current tranquil surroundings. I am certain that I am one of many who are averse to this current positioning of the Inland Rail link. I am horrified at the prospect of a total intrusion on my lifestyle with frequent noise, vibration and scenic obstructions.
When there are more alternative cost effective routes further west as per our local newspaper the Courier’s editorial on Tuesday 2 February 2021 “Alternative Line Suggested for Inland Rail corridor”.
I originally purchased my two properties 98 and 100 in Genanagie Street, over twenty years ago with a good family knowledge of the immediate area which assured me of total secluded privacy. The area being officially “Flood Zoned” in the 1980’s therefore allowing “No New Development” nor having any existing neighbours in close proximity given the then positioning a priceless appeal to myself.
My home which is occupied by family is situated approximately 70 metres from the banks of the Namoi River. In 1971 a flood height of 900mm inundated the immediate house yard.
My gravest concern given the close proximity to the Namoi River is a rise in the flood water level which will impact directly on my dwelling and surrounding out buildings given this area is a natural flood way.
I believe the proposed construction of infrastructure in this aforementioned location will have repercussions that will impact and hinder the current natural flood water velocity by erecting obstacles that will collect debris in turn slowing the flow backing it up hence resulting in a damming motion dramatically increasing the upstream flood water height further inundating the township of Narrabri.
My family heritage past and present is in Genanagie street. Therefore my dream home location was in this area. So I purchased the neighbouring property to the original family settlement. I purchased these properties with the intention of ultimately renovating the now existing home and retiring there in peaceful tranquillity. All my hopes and dreams have all been shattered, they are all a fanciful notion if this becomes a reality.
I declare that I have not made any political donations in the last two years.

I support the project but reject the route proposed by the Inland Rail on the basis of flooding risk and the social impact to the citizens living in the Narrabri township.
If the rail is sent west of Narrabri as per the proposal of Civil Engineer- Jim Purcell, fewer people would impacted. It does not seem that the Inland Rail has done an adequate job at consulting the community of Narrabri in the choice of the route. I have not heard a single reason yet as to why the rail should go through Narrabri.
I support the project. I support development in the area. I only request more investigation be done on the Narromine to Narrabri route.
Kind regards,
Narrabri local.

Narromine to Narrabri SSI 189487
I strongly object to the Narromine to Narrabri SSI 189487 Inland Rail proposal.
I object for the following reasons:
Land devaluation
- The proposed route will cross onto our land and will be approximately 140m from my home. If we were ever to sell, this will devalue our land significantly!
Noise and Vibration
- I am very concerned about the high level of noise and vibration that the line will cause, that I will have to live with on a day to day basis. The damage it may cause to our house, granny flat and sheds eg. foundations and structural. If we were ever to sell this will also devalue our land significantly! We are still waiting for a noise impact assessment map to be provided and our home is approximately 140m from the line. It is also very close to the town of Narrabri and the noise and vibration will be significant to a large portion of Narrabri residents.
Safety Concerns
- We have horses that we handle and ride on our property. The noise and vibration caused during both construction and operation of the rail line, may cause harm, injury or even death to any persons or horses, if the horses were to take fright.
- This proposed route will bring more rail crossings to our local community, increasing the risk of accidents and deaths.
Alternate Route
- Why the alternate routes proposed are not being considered? It would take the line further away from the town and not impact as many residential homes! Why is this not being considered?
Community consultation
- There should have been more face to face consultation with Department of Planning and Environment to land owners and the community. A lot of community members are not aware of the noise and vibration impact that it will have on the town as it always glorified is in the media.

I have lived in my current home for 33 years, it has so much sentimental value to me and my family. My family and I are devastated by this proposed route and have many sleepless nights! I hope you realise that these decisions can ruin people’s lives! And nobody really understands the impact this has unless you are in our position.

I am concerned about what impact Inland Rail may have on our Town??? There has not been enough consultation!! Why is not being put further out of town when there is an alternative route!

Please see the attachment for Coonamble Shire Council's comments.

I am concerned with the proximity of the proposed rail line to existing local housing estates. As a home owner, I concerned with the impact upon my quite enjoyment of home, due to increased noise from multiple trains traversing the line at all hours of the day and night. Additionally the height of the rail line and allowance for double height containers will be visible from nearly all points within town and northern village areas. The proposed line will also impact upon flooding due to its proximity to Mulgate Creek and water dispersement from the town precinct. I do not believe that affected home owners have been sufficiently consulted and informed in regard to the proposed citing of the rail line in relation to existing homes and businesses. I fully support the alternate route recently outlined which would move the line further out of the town area and reduce the need for multiple crossings across the flood plain.

See Attached Submission Submission to EIS of Inland Rail N2N_Lloyd Stumer

To put Further out of town as there is an alternative route.

On the Southern end of Narrabri there are some property entrances that get cut off, adjacent to the Newell Highway.
Please consider following Bohena Creek for a short distance longer before heading up towards Yarrie Lake Road, keeping in mind property access points and land boundaries. Thought needs to be given to land holders residential access.

Attached document.

Narrabri is a small community, where locals have spent their entire lives in certain properties, including some of my very good friends. They are shattered by the idea of a rail route being planned in the middle of their properties they have worked so hard to maintain over many years. Many people affected by this planned route have spoken spent decades creating a peaceful out of town lifestyle for their families to enjoy. I worry greatly about the significant mental, emotional and physical health implications of this rail route.

A rail road going through their properties is incredibly unkind and unfair - especially with all the recent hardships with the drought and economic downturn associated with COVID. I am worried about the mental health impacts of this railroad running directly through people’s properties, as well as the safety impacts of young children who live on these properties. People living in rural regions are already disadvantaged from a health standpoint and have substantially reduced access to health resources. I also worry the mental health resources in the town will not cope with the additional upheaval that will likely be caused by this train route.

There is a clear alternative - the route should be moved out of town further, so that less people are affected.

Please put yourself in their shoes and imagine if a train route were to be built in your peaceful backyard.

Put further out of town as there is an alternative route.

Put it further out of town as there is an alternate route instead of disrupting farmers’ land

I have lived in the North West for almost 60 years and observed at first hand the increase in road traffic over the decades. I have ridden the train to Sydney dozens of time too and have often wondered why we don't use trains more to transport goods so I applaud this proposal as I believe a dedicated line between Melbourne and Brisbane will save lives through a decrease in deaths due to road accidents, speed up transport of goods and bring employment opportunities to country towns that need it. My concern is with the proposed route near Narrabri and the impact it will have upon surrounding land owners and community road users. There are already many crossings around Narrabri and the existing rail network seems in good order as it is used many times a day by wheat and cotton trains so why not use the existing line through the town rather than build bridges across the flood plain? The current planned route means that Kamillaroi Highway road users no matter which road they take towards Wee Waa will have to cross this route. During wheat and cotton harvests the road is used extensively and my fear is slowing down traffic will lead to bottle necks and potential accident zones. My final concern is for the many small landowners whose holdings will be impacted by forced land acquisitions. Many of the properties on the western side of Narrabri are small farms of just a few hundred acres. So to loose even 50 acres to the rail line will impact the owners and I urge you to be considerate of their views, compassionate and understanding of these people who stand to loose their homes.