More importantly the project, which has been campaigned for over decades, has an attached completion date of 2025.

NSW Farmers president, Derek Schoen, who runs a property in southern NSW at Corowa, said the federal budget delivered “mostly positive” results for the rural sector. However, he warned that the tax slug of $6.2 billion to the banks would have a potentially detrimental affect on agriculture. 

He said the inland rail funds pledge was a major commitment that would benefit several agricultural commodities and span 1700 kilometres.  “This is something that has been on the books for many decades ...this funding commitment really does give us some hope,” he said.  Mr Schoen also said the commitment of $1.1 billion to Landcare for the next five years was a major win for agriculture. 

GrainGrowers general manager, policy and innovation David McKeon welcomed the rail project however called on the Australian Rail Track Corporation to consult closely with landholders who would be directly affected by the development. “While a landmark project the Inland Rail Project was just one key element in an overall national freight supply chain strategy,” he said. 

“The Inland Rail Project is a major step forward (but) Australia needs a national freight and supply chain strategy which is comprehensive, long term and includes the requirements of the grains industry,” he said. He said the project needed capabilities to move a crop of more than 62 million tonnes efficiently and cost effectively. 

Rural Doctors Association of Australia president, Dr Ewen McPhee said it was a good outcome for health compared to previous federal budgets. “Having said that, more work is required to fully address rural health issues,” he said.