Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Illawarra Shoalhaven Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan

 




TfNSW has on exhibition a draft Illawarra Shoalhaven Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan with comments invited up to 9 February 2026:




It would be good to see the final version include:

  • Improved public transport between Wollongong and Sydney, and between the Southern Tablelands and Canberra.

  • Completion of the Maldon–Dombarton rail link for both passengers and freight, including a new station at Wilton.

  • More frequent local train services.

  • Consideration of light rail from Wollongong Station to South Beach, potentially using a trackless tram, via the new development bounded by Crown, Keira, Burelli and Aitchison Streets and the Mall.

  • Real measures to shift more freight to rail, particularly for movements to and from Port Kembla.

  • Stronger support for active transport and traffic calming.




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Goodbye to the V-Sets (or bring them back to the South Coast)

With the introduction of the new Mariyung trains, the double decker electric trains called V Sets are being retired from use.












These  excellent trains were made by Comeng in Granville and were introduced in the 1970s to replace the U sets or "U-boats", and were known for comfortable riding​.

They were used for the first electric trains​ to Wollongong in 1986 - the electrification of this line (and to Newcastle) being the initiative of the Wran Labor NSW government.
By 1988, these trains  completed the 82 km journey from Wollongong to Central station each Saturday in just 75 minutes. Today the trains mostly take 90 minutes.

Rather than scrap these well made trains, why not send them to the South Coast?
The South Coast is still waiting for weekday off peak trains every 30 minutes like Newcastle has had for years. At present there is only one train an hour off peak.
If the motors no longer work, put a locomotive in front of the V Set and put them to work - more trains Kiama to Bomaderry, or Sydney to Newcastle.
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Truck crashes of concern

January 2026 has seen three road crashes involving heavy trucks in just one week.

On Monday Jan 5, a single vehicle fatal crash.  






 















On Tuesday Jan 6, truck and five car crash on the Picton Road.  






 













On Wednesday Jan 7, B Double and truck crash on the Hume Highway. 


The B Double and truck crash on the Hume Highway on 7 January was the fifth reported truck-truck crash on the Hume Highway in just 53 weeks - one in VIctoria and four in NSW. ​Regrettably, some of these were fatal crashes.
















In addition, he loss of life in road crashes involving articulated trucks (including semitrailers in B Doubles) have shown an increase in NSW over the past five years.
Clearly, measures including track upgrades to get more freight on rail should be seen as an investment in road safety.
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