William Scott
Inland Rail continues to power ahead, with important safety works completed and key environmental targets achieved.
Upgrades at Daroobalgie level crossing are now complete, delivering a safer experience for motorists and trains.
Boom gates and flashing lights at the crossing have been installed, with the improvements part of work to construct a passing loop on the Stockinbingal to Parkes section of Inland Rail.
The previous level crossing was passive, meaning it only had a ‘Stop’ sign and a ‘Look for Trains’ notice, but the upgraded crossing is now active, with high-intensity LED flashing lights, bells and retro-reflective boom gates, with new signage and line marking for both the rail and roadway.
The change to an active level crossing is expected to increase safety for both motorists and pedestrians by providing clear and reliable signals when trains are approaching.
Thanks to the active crossing, road users can expect smoother traffic flows as vehicles will no longer need to come to a stop at the crossing unless the lights and booms are activated.
Representatives of Inland Rail joined staff from contractor Martinus Rail and Forbes Shire Council Deputy Mayor, Chris Roylance, at the commissioning of the upgraded level crossing.
The change to an active level crossing was a key safety requirement to augment the new Daroobalgie Crossing Loop directly to the west of Daroobalgie Road.
Inland Rail Project Director, Stockinbingal to Parkes, Malcolm Clark, said the Daroobalgie Road level crossing now provides a safer way for road users to cross the rail line.
“We are proud to complete this upgrade. Safety is at the heart of everything we do and so the level crossing upgrade became a key part of works to construct the Daroobalgie Passing Loop.
“We have been working closely with Forbes Shire Council and the Forbes community, and I would like to express my thanks for the support we have received.
“We are close to completing this section of Stockinbingal to Parkes, demonstrating our commitment to delivering Inland Rail south of Parkes by 2027.”
Biodiversity offset target
Inland Rail has also met a key environmental target of its Federal and New South Wales Government approvals for the completed Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project, with the retirement of 20,461 biodiversity credits, compensating for impacts to native vegetation on the project.
Inland Rail acquired the biodiversity credits and their retirement removes the credit from the biodiversity credit trading market, so that it cannot be used to offset impacts from other projects.
In acquiring the credits, Inland Rail created and/or fully funded ten new biodiversity stewardship sites (BSS) across New South Wales, predominantly with local landholders, enabling them to actively manage their offset sites to achieve improvements to biodiversity on their farms.
Inland Rail said it has been actively progressing the establishment of new BSS as well as acquiring biodiversity credits from the offset market to supply offset credits for multiple projects south of Narromine.
Since 2019, Inland Rail has established a total of 17 new BSS, including 15 in partnership with local landholders, and has another four applications in progress.
These sites will protect more than 12,500ha of native vegetation and habitat and will be managed in perpetuity.
In addition, Inland Rail has been acquiring credits from other BSS holders and has purchased more than 60,000 biodiversity credits, ensuring that landholders can start to actively manage their sites for biodiversity gain.
Inland Rail Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability, Stephen Jones, said, “Preserving our landscape and caring for the habitats of native Australian flora and fauna is paramount to Inland Rail as we build this project through regional Australia.
“It is exciting that we are able to set new benchmarks as we go about meeting our obligations to the environment through the New South Wales Biodiversity Offset Market and assist landholders in proactively managing their sites to enhance biodiversity.
“Inland Rail is forming positive partnerships with landholders to leave a considerable legacy of protected and enriched environments.”
