NSW Labor commits to inland rail inquiry

NSW Labor’s support for an Upper House inquiry into inland rail is welcome recognition of NSW Farmers’ long-standing calls for an inquiry into this $10 billion project.

NSW Farmers’ inland rail taskforce chair, Adrian Lyons, said NSW Farmers strongly supports the inland rail project, but an inquiry was needed to ensure that the assumptions underpinning the selection of the route are sound.

“NSW Labor’s commitment to conduct an inquiry into inland rail is recognition of the concerns within the communities of western New South Wales that more evidence must be provided to ensure we are getting the best value possible from this significant infrastructure investment,” Mr Lyons said

Mr Lyons said the commitment from Labor is in response to issues raised at the NSW Farmers’ infrastructure forum in Dubbo in early February.

“Shadow Minister Clayton Barr is to be commended for coming to Dubbo, listening to the concerns of locals, and responding with this commitment. An Upper House inquiry will give the communities impacted by inland rail the opportunity to have their say and air their grievances.”

“We want this project to succeed – let’s use this inquiry as an opportunity to maximise the value for agricultural supply chains across New South Wales and drive competition and investment in rail infrastructure for the benefit of rural and regional New South Wales”, Mr Lyons said.

Mr Lyons said he hopes that the Commonwealth Government will engage in good faith with any inquiry and work with the New South Wales Government in the implementation of any recommendations arising.

“NSW Farmers will continue to call for a formal inquiry at a Commonwealth-level into the inland rail.   The findings of any New South Wales parliamentary inquiry can feed into the review at a national level of the entire project, giving assurances to all that this important project has been developed properly, and provides the greatest benefit to the communities of western New South Wales.”

Date: Monday 18 March 2019
Media Contact:   Michael Burt  | 0428 228 988