FROM ABC Illawarra Radio, Friday August 13, 2010
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/08/13/2982370.htm?site=illawarra§ion=news
A submission from the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) to the Department of Planning has come out against the proposed expansion of Port Kembla's outer harbour.
The letter from the RTA is contained in a summary of submissions that make-up part of the environmental assessment for the development.
The RTA has raised concerns the predicted freight movement by rail cannot be achieved, with the impact on the road network likely to be considerably more than predicted.
The RTA says this is likely to lead to unacceptable impacts on road safety and traffic efficiency as well as noise and air quality.
A RailCorp submission also raises concerns about the ability of the existing rail network to cope and says the environment assessment is heavily focused on the short-term.
The project is currently being assessed by the Department of Planning.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
WTC also questions harbour extension
The original submission from WTC, with others, including from Rail Corp and of Wollongong City Council may be viewed at:
The RTA submission in the Appendix is of particular note, some of which follows.
The RTA has considered the impact of predicted traffic volumes (2.2mtpa bulk, 1.6mtpa general cargo and 120,000 TEU containers per annum). "Whilst these volumes are unlikely to have a significant impact on the surrounding State road network, they rely on a number of assumptions. In particularly, they rely significantly on a high rate of transportation via rail. Whilst the RTA strongly supports the use of rail, the RTA has concerns that if the predicted rail mode share cannot be achieved, the impact to the road network would be considerably more. In this regard, given the high percentage of heavy vehicles that would be associated with the road transportation of goods from the Outer Harbour, departing from predicted traffic volumes is likely to lead to unacceptable impacts to road safety and traffic efficiency as well as environmental issues such as amenity, noise and air quality."
"Based on the above, the RTA does not support the proposal in its current form. However, the RTA would reconsider its position if annual transportation of goods from the proposed Outer Harbour were restricted by the conditions of approval to the levels shown in Table 4.4 of the Traffic and Transport Report. "
Add to this the fact that RailCorp has reservations as well about the ability of the existing lines to move the freight.
So if Port Kembla is to have any further expansion, a start on Maldon Dombarton is now due - with some help from the NSW government.
This would include the NSW government approving funding for an updated Environmental Assessment (EA) for completion of the Maldon Dombarton rail link.
The need for a new EA to complement the former Environmental Impact Assessment undertaken in 1983 was noted in the 2009 pre-feasability study.
The cost of an Environmental Assessment is likely to be much less than $3 million outlaid by the Australia Government for the feasibility study now underway. An issues paper for this feasibility study is due soon.
Starting the Environment Assessment this year, rather than waiting 2011, and getting the project "Shovel Ready" would send a positive signal to the Federal government that the NSW Government wants to improve rail freight infrastructure. Plus assist the growth of Port Kembla.
The RTA has considered the impact of predicted traffic volumes (2.2mtpa bulk, 1.6mtpa general cargo and 120,000 TEU containers per annum). "Whilst these volumes are unlikely to have a significant impact on the surrounding State road network, they rely on a number of assumptions. In particularly, they rely significantly on a high rate of transportation via rail. Whilst the RTA strongly supports the use of rail, the RTA has concerns that if the predicted rail mode share cannot be achieved, the impact to the road network would be considerably more. In this regard, given the high percentage of heavy vehicles that would be associated with the road transportation of goods from the Outer Harbour, departing from predicted traffic volumes is likely to lead to unacceptable impacts to road safety and traffic efficiency as well as environmental issues such as amenity, noise and air quality."
"Based on the above, the RTA does not support the proposal in its current form. However, the RTA would reconsider its position if annual transportation of goods from the proposed Outer Harbour were restricted by the conditions of approval to the levels shown in Table 4.4 of the Traffic and Transport Report. "
Add to this the fact that RailCorp has reservations as well about the ability of the existing lines to move the freight.
So if Port Kembla is to have any further expansion, a start on Maldon Dombarton is now due - with some help from the NSW government.
This would include the NSW government approving funding for an updated Environmental Assessment (EA) for completion of the Maldon Dombarton rail link.
The need for a new EA to complement the former Environmental Impact Assessment undertaken in 1983 was noted in the 2009 pre-feasability study.
The cost of an Environmental Assessment is likely to be much less than $3 million outlaid by the Australia Government for the feasibility study now underway. An issues paper for this feasibility study is due soon.
Starting the Environment Assessment this year, rather than waiting 2011, and getting the project "Shovel Ready" would send a positive signal to the Federal government that the NSW Government wants to improve rail freight infrastructure. Plus assist the growth of Port Kembla.
Neighbourhood Forum 5
Neighbourhood Forum 5 of Wollongong City Council at its meeting of 5 August stated that does not want Stage 1 of the Port Kembla Outer Harbour operational until work has re-started on Maldon Dombarton Rail Link, and that Hon.Tony Kelly, Minister for Planning and Hon.Paul McLeay Minister for the Illawarra be advised accordingly.
Where to from here ?
Hon.Tony Kelly, Minister for Planning is to about to formally assess the application for a concept plan and Stage 1 construction and operations. About $10 million was allocated in the recent 2010 State Budget for this purpose.
If you consider that more needs to be done to get our rail system upgraded with a start on Maldon Dombarton to stop "unacceptable impacts to road safety and traffic efficiency as well as environmental issues such as amenity, noise and air quality." (RTA statement as above),
THEN CONSIDER WRITING TODAY TO YOUR STATE MP.
.
If you consider that more needs to be done to get our rail system upgraded with a start on Maldon Dombarton to stop "unacceptable impacts to road safety and traffic efficiency as well as environmental issues such as amenity, noise and air quality." (RTA statement as above),
THEN CONSIDER WRITING TODAY TO YOUR STATE MP.
.
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