News

Farmers and CWA take legal action over inland rail

By Jamie Salter

Jul 20, 2020

NSW Farmers Association and NSW Country Women’s Association have joined forces to progress legal action for Australian Rail Track Corporation’s handling of the Inland Rail Project.

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The two organisations have engaged law firm Holding Redlich to highlight the concerns relating to ARTC’s hydrology modelling.

NSW Farmers Inland Rail Taskforce chair Adrian Lyons said he had clearly outlined the main issues of landholders along the proposed rail route.

“We are using this opportunity to demand the ARTC engage in a productive manner with affected landholders,” Mr Lyons said.

“We have also stressed the need for transparency around the key documents underpinning the proposed route, particularly the hydrology modelling which to date has caused consternation in our members.

“For a long time we have recommended to NSW Farmers members affected by this project not to engage with ARTC and now we’re urging them to seek legal advice in regards to this matter.”

NSW CWA chief executive officer Danica Leys said in taking legal action, CWA and NSW Farmers hoped to develop a collective of landholders and community members who want to progress advocacy around the Inland Rail Project.

“We encourage affected landholders to register their interest in joining ongoing advocacy efforts,” Ms Leys said.

“Currently, our legal correspondence is focused on the Narromine to Narrabri stretch of the rail route, but our aim is that any positive developments would be mirrored in other parts of the infrastructure.”