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Despite this state and federal National Party members threw their full support behind fast-tracking the project this week.
On Tuesday, National Party members, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Parkes MP Mark Coulton, welcomed the announcement that the NSW government had fast-tracked the assessment process for the Narrabri to North Star section of the Inland Rail.
Mr Marshall said a ruling on whether the $700 million section of rail-corridor is approved will now be made within the next month.
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"Should Phase 1 be given the green light, by the end of this year we will see the ARTC begin work to upgrade 171-kilometre of track between Narrabri and North Star," Mr Marshall said.
"I want to assure everyone that no corners are being cut as a result of this announcement and the same stringent checks, balances and community consultation remain in place."
Meanwhile, on Tuesday in Wagga Wagga Deputy Premier, John Barilaro unveiled the draft master plan for a Special Activation Precinct, nicknamed 'an inland port', which will target industries that will benefit from access to the Inland Rail, creating up to 6000 new jobs.
The objective of Special Precincts is to plan and do environmental assessments up-front, reducing the cost and time of obtaining development consent for complying individual businesses.
"Our plans for the Wagga Wagga precinct include big ideas such as creating a circular economy - where one business's waste becomes another's resource - and Australia's first green hydrogen hub, powered by sustainable energy," Mr Barilaro said.
He said because of the Inland Rail, they were able to attract businesses in industries including renewables, value-added agriculture and freight and logistics.
The Wagga Wagga precinct draft master plan covers 4506 hectares including the exisiting Bomen Business Park and will be on public exhibition for 56 days, open for feedback until September 15.
Special Activation Precincts will also be built in Parkes and Moree, both are on the Inland Rail route.
