State budget could have done more for Wollongong

The NSW Budget handed down on 17 June 2014 s big on transport investment in Sydney and except for the Princes Highway, small on transport investment in Wollongong.

Sydney's expensive West Connex, which in part  is funded by the Port Kembla lease proceeds,  will do nothing for Wollongong and Port Kembla.  So also, as noted by Alan Mitchell (Abbott must  promote competition, AFR June 25), will spending part of the port lease and other privatization proceeds on "…politically attractive but low-value assets such as the NSW government's proposed North West Rail link in Sydney." 

Quite simply, the Mt Ousley road already has too many heavy trucks on it and is congested at peak hours, whilst the Wollongong-Sydney railway is congested for all day and most of the night.  If Port Kembla is to grow, Maldon Dombarton is needed. 

The NSW Government needs to take a more balanced approach between Sydney and the rest of NSW.

A bridge too far?

At a public meeting held 17 June at Thirroul held to discuss the parking problems caused by last October's   train timetable changes, Heathcote MP Lee Evans said the  NSW government was looking at ways to deal with the "pinch points" caused by the tunnels at Stanwell Park. His idea is a new Sea Cliff style bridge.

Wollongong Transport Coalition can remember in 1998 how Action for Transport 2010 promised faster trains with a new Waterfall Thirroul route with a longer tunnel. Plus their 2003 options of track straightening near Helensburgh.

With challenging rail and road problems facing Port Kembla's bid to lift throughput from 4.35 to 16 million tonnes per year,  it would be much better for the NSW Government to take a close look at Maldon Dombarton.

 Maldon Dombarton would also get coal trains out of Sydney's inner west and Illawarra lines.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2364063/maldon-dombarton-line-more-effective-than-rail-bridge-expert/