The New South Wales Farmers’ Association and the Country Women’s Association of NSW say they have joined forces to progress legal action with respect to the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s handling of the Inland Rail Project.
NSW Farmers and CWA of NSW have engaged law firm Holding Redlich to approach the ARTC, highlighting, in particular, the Farmers’ and CWA’s concerns relating to the ARTC’s hydrology modelling.
NSW Farmers’ Inland Rail Taskforce chair, Adrian Lyons, said this approach aims to elicit a meaningful response from the ARTC.
‘Through sending legal correspondence to the ARTC, we have clearly outlined the main concerns facing landholders along the proposed rail route,’ said Mr Lyons.
‘We are using this opportunity to demand the ARTC engage in a productive manner with affected landholders.
‘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.’
CWA of NSW CEO, Danica Leys, said in taking legal action the CWA and NSW Farmers hope to develop a collective of landholders and community members who want to progress advocacy around Inland Rail.
‘We encourage affected landholders to register their interest in joining ongoing advocacy efforts,’ said Ms Leys.
‘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.’
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