A commmunity consultative committee is being establised for the Illabo to Stockinbingal section of the Inland Rail project.
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Former NSW State Minister Garry West has been appointed as an independent chairperson of the committee, with interested residents now being asked put their hands up to join.
The Illabo-Stockinbingal CCC will be one of 10 similar groups established along the proposed rail route and given the task of providing a clear communication link between the project team and local communities.
This section of the massive Inland Rail project will require 37 kilometres of new rail line to be built on a green-field site.
Organisations like NSW Farmers have previously expressed concerns about a lack of feedback and information to landowners whose properties could be affected by the rail line’s placement.
Martin Honner from NSW Farmers, who has a property Marinna, said there were concerns that still needed to be addressed, with traffic and adequate rail infrastructure, still being the primary issue.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, who is also the Member for Riverina and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, said he had already held a number of meetings with local landholders in the region to listen to their views and would continue talks.
“Moving food and fibre to market faster, in greater volumes and more efficiently will open up inland Australia to new and exciting economic opportunities, ensuring our farmers become more competitive and have more money in their pockets to spend in local communities,” he said.
“The Inland Rail will deliver genuine benefits to farming communities and grow regional economies and we are making sure we optimise the design by continuing to listen to stakeholders and gather feedback.”
Committee members can include representatives from local councils, landowner groups, community representative groups and other interested people, as well as Australian Rail Track Corporation representatives.
Nominations for the Illabo to Stockinbingal Inland Rail Community Consultative Committee close at 4pm on Friday, February 1, 2019.
More information about the CCC process and applications for the Illabo to Stockinbingal committee available from: https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/community-consultative-committees.