Building a Better Future for the Riverina
The Inland Rail project is a nation-building initiative that will transform Australia’s freight and logistics network. However, the current alignment of the Inland Rail through Wagga Wagga poses significant risks to our city’s livability, safety, and infrastructure. Without action, our community will face decades of noise, congestion, and disruption.
As your representative, I am committed to ensuring Wagga Wagga is protected and enhanced through a fully funded bypass. This will not only safeguard our city but also unlock economic opportunities and ensure the Inland Rail project serves the region effectively.
To achieve this, I have drafted the Inland Rail Bypass and Regional Infrastructure Fund Act 2025, which provides a comprehensive framework to design, fund, and deliver a bypass around Wagga Wagga. If elected, I will introduce this bill on my first day in Parliament to secure a better future for our region.
Read the proposed legislation here:
Inland Rail Bypass and Regional Infrastructure Fund Act 2025 (Draft).
Why This Policy is Needed
Protecting Livability and Safety
The current alignment will bring double-stack freight trains through the heart of Wagga Wagga, causing noise pollution, delays at crossings like Bourke Street, and cutting the city in half for significant periods. A bypass will mitigate these disruptions and restore urban livability.
Boosting Economic Growth
The bypass will enhance freight efficiency, attract logistics investments, and create jobs, boosting the region’s economy. Integrating a heavy transport corridor into the bypass will further capitalise on economic opportunities by improving connectivity for road freight operators.
Ensuring Environmental Sustainability
Preserving an easement for the bypass, as recommended in the Schott Report, ensures minimal disruption to Wagga Wagga’s environment while future-proofing the infrastructure for potential electrification and dual-use capabilities.
Amendments to Existing Legislation
To successfully deliver the Inland Rail Bypass, certain sections of existing legislation must be amended. These amendments ensure the project is fully funded, prioritised, and aligned with national and local infrastructure goals.
Key Legislative Amendments:
- Fuel Tax Act 2006
• Allocates 1.5% of annual fuel excise revenue to the Inland Rail Bypass Fund. - Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Special Account Act 2015
• Directs a portion of indexed fuel revenue to support the bypass project. - Infrastructure Australia Act 2008
• Classifies the Inland Rail Bypass as a project of national significance, streamlining approvals. - Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995
• Allocates additional support for councils like Wagga Wagga City Council. - Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) Enabling Legislation
• Mandates ARTC to prioritise the bypass in their planning and execution responsibilities. - National Land Transport Act 2014
• Includes the bypass as an eligible project under the National Land Transport Fund. - Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999
• Streamlines environmental approvals while ensuring robust safeguards for floodplain and ecosystem protection.
Read the supplementary schedule of proposed amendments here:
Supplementary Schedule of Amendments (Draft).
What This Policy Will Achieve
Protect Wagga Wagga’s Livability and Safety:
The bypass will reduce noise, congestion, and emergency access delays caused by freight trains passing through the city.
Boost Economic Growth:
By integrating a heavy transport corridor, the project will enhance freight movement, attract investment, and create local jobs.
Ensure Environmental Sustainability:
The bypass design will prioritise floodplain protection, minimise ecological disruption, and accommodate future electrification of rail lines.
Guarantee Funding and Accountability:
The proposed amendments will ensure that funding streams are locked in, transparent, and exclusively used for the bypass.
The Cost of Inaction
Without these amendments and the Inland Rail Bypass Act:
- Wagga Wagga will face decades of urban disruption, including blocked emergency routes and increased traffic.
- Freight efficiency will be compromised, harming local businesses and regional economies.
- The federal and state governments will continue to neglect the critical infrastructure needs of the Riverina.
My Commitment
If elected, I guarantee:
- To introduce the Inland Rail Bypass and Regional Infrastructure Fund Act 2025 to Parliament immediately.
- To advocate for the required amendments to existing legislation to ensure the project is fully funded and prioritised.
- To fight relentlessly for this project’s success, using my influence in a tight Parliament to secure bipartisan support.
Your Choice, Your Future
This election is your opportunity to demand better for Wagga Wagga and the Riverina. The Inland Rail Bypass is not just about infrastructure—it’s about protecting our community, creating jobs, and ensuring a sustainable future.
Together, we can build a better future. Together, we can make this bypass a reality.
Read the full legislation here: Inland Rail Bypass Act 2025 (Draft)
Read the schedule of proposed amendments here: Supplementary Schedule of Amendments (Draft)
