Moree’s Freight Is In Focus For Acting Prime Ministers Visit

Moree’s future in freight and transport was on the agenda this week as Moree Plains Shire Council was host to Acting Prime Minister, Michael McCormack, and Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton to discuss the transport network across the Shire. 

With construction of the Narrabri to North Star section of the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail commencing shortly and the future Newell Highway upgrades, delivery of key transport infrastructure is essential to a productive supply chain servicing the most successful agricultural region in Australia, Moree.

Leveraging Moree’s location within interstate networks, the delivery of Moree’s Intermodal facilities and key infrastructure links will strengthen western New South Wales position within the national context for freight and supply chain priorities.

Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack is supportive of the development of key freight corridors for Moree, noting the visit with local MP Mark Coulton was beneficial.

“The fact that the Acting Prime Minister has visited Moree twice over the past few months regarding the construction of the Narrabri to North Star section of the Inland Rail speaks volumes of the prominence of this project broadly within Australia,” said Moree Plains Shire Council’s Mayor, Katrina Humphries.

“The intermodal infrastructure suite is one of the biggest projects Moree has ever seen and all of the moving parts need to come together.

“Over the next five years with Inland Rail construction commencing and Moree’s Special Activation Precinct on track, infrastructure to improve access into the intermodal facilities and Special Activation Precinct is critical to its success.

“Moree’s location and productive agriculture sector has been a key driver for this project, to support the transit from paddocks to port to plate we need to ensure that we are equipped with the necessary infrastructure.

“To paint the picture, the Moree Plains is the most productive broadacre region along the Inland Rail alignment by two-fold, annual production can be in excess of 1.8M tonnes of grain and 900,000 bales of cotton.

“Once operational, Moree will experience a significant increase in heavy vehicles and road trains accessing the Intermodal Facilities, we need to make sure this access is safe for our community but also supports those transporting produce.

“This will have a chain reaction for us if the required infrastructure is delivered, it will drive supply chain productivity and enhance access to national markets which will make our community thrive.

“I am very grateful to both Minister Coulton and Acting Prime Minister McCormack for the confidence they have in the Moree Plains Shire Council to deliver such a momentous project”, said Mayor Humphries.

General Manager, Lester Rodgers, was pleased with the ongoing support provided by the Federal Government and the impact it will have in the Moree Plains community.

“The support and recognition of the importance of Moree’s Intermodal Facilities by the Acting Prime Minister is reassuring to our community and future development of the Narrabri to North Star section of the Inland Rail and Moree’s Special Activation Precinct,” said Mr Rodgers.

The proposed infrastructure suite presents a unique opportunity for Federal, State and Local Government to collaborate on major infrastructure works for the betterment of our community in addition to forming part of Australia’s national economic recovery following the global pandemic.