Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester and Nationals Member for Parkes Mark Coulton joined Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce in Narrabri on Tuesday in reaffirming the Government's commitment to the rail project following the funding announcement in May's budget.

The three officials met at Austcott Limited's Narrabri site and said the infrastructure would create a 'corridor of commerce' across the region and the nation.

It's expected the project would create up to 16,000 jobs during construction and 700 jobs when in operation.

“By connecting south east Queensland by rail to Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, we not only reduce the freight distance between Melbourne and Brisbane by 200 kilometres and between Brisbane and Perth by 500 kilometres, we establish a corridor of commerce and bring wealth west,” Mr Joyce said.

Mr Coulton said additional commitment of $594 million to the project in the 2016-17 Budget had provided confidence to local producers that they would play a role in supplying a growing demand for Australian domestic product in Asia.

“Inland Rail is vital to addressing the increasing freight task being experienced in eastern Australia and locally grown cotton, grain, wool, beef and lamb are just a few examples of the types of product which will travel by rail rather than road to ports in Melbourne and Brisbane,” Mr Coulton said.

The project is predicted to remove about 200,000 trucks from the road network and reduce the travelling time of intercapital freight between Brisbane and Melbourne to under 24-hours. 

“The additional funding is being directed towards refining the corridor and land acquisition. As the alignment is decided we will be providing certainty to affected landholders and communities.

The additional budget funding was announced on top of a previous commitment of $300 million.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the project was expected to create up to 16,000 jobs during construction and 700 jobs when in operation.

Narrabri Shire Council mayor Conrad Bolton believes the inland rail network will spell big things for his area.

Speaking to The Leader following the federal government’s confirmation of a $594 million commitment to the project in Narrabri yesterday, Mr Bolton said talks with landholders about the alignment of the railway are progressing and the process was working well so far.

Cr Bolton said Narrabri was in a prime position to become a key site in the rail network, which would all but guarantee a bright future of export opportunities for existing and new industries.

“Perhaps new industries will generate into the future,” Cr Bolton said.

“I’m sure investment plans are being modelled and analysed as we speak, so that opportunities can be taken once the infrastructure is in place. 

“One of the great things about rail is it is very important in the equation for us, not only will it provide our shire with several port opportunities, but it most importantly provides benefit to the farm gate in regards to freight costs, and I think that’s crucial. 

“The fact that you get freight to major ports quickly in a very cost- effective way is what I see as a major outcome from this.”

Cr Bolton said the community had been responding well to the project so far.

“Naturally the rail line is going to interfere with properties,” he said.

“As they start to get a more tailored alignment, and the process has been very good, they need to work with farmers who are going to be affected by the final track alignment and make sure they remain courteous and considerate to the people affected.”