MALDON DOMBARTON RAILWAY SUBMISSIONS NOW AVAILABLE

The Federal Government has commissioned a Maldon Donbarton Rail Link Feasibility Study. Some 36 submissions were received by 17 December 2010-with more to follow-and may be found at:

http://www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au/publications/reports/Maldon_Dombarton_Submissions.aspx

Most of these submissions, including from WTC, are supportive of the new railway. WTC also
supports passenger trains on the new line as well as improved passenger train services on the Wollongong - Sydney line.

WTC shall be back in the New Year. In the mean time, Seasons Greetings and take extra care when driving.




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Recent Illawarra Mercury stories showing problems with existing rail and road links.

Double truck crash closes Picton Rd
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/double-truck-crash-closes-picton-rd/2012024.aspx
30 Nov, 2010 10:32 AM
The westbound lane of Picton Rd at Cataract is closed following a collision between two trucks.
Nobody is believed to have been seriously injured in the incident.
Motorists are advised to use either Illawarra Hwy or Appin Rd as alternative routes.

Emergency repairs delay South Coast trains
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/emergency-repairs-delay-south-coast-trains/2013298.aspx
01 Dec, 2010 10:13 AM
South Coast commuters can expect delays due to emergency repairs on signal equipment between Coalcliff and Scarborough.
Transport NSW said trains were being delayed by up to 15 minutes in both directions.
The delays come as the State Opposition criticises the Government for its failure to improve rail service.
According to the Opposition, NSW train commuters are being forced back into their cars because of poor state of the public transport system.
The RailCorp annual report reveals there were 2.3 million fewer passenger trips on the rail network in 2009-10 compared to 2008-09.
‘‘Commuters are talking with their feet because they are fed up with the Keneally Labor government’s failure to improve the public transport system,’’ Opposition transport spokeswoman Gladys Berejiklian said.


Rainfall delays South Coast trains
BY MATTHEW JONES AND ANGELA THOMPSON
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/rainfall-delays-south-coast-trains/2014119.aspx
02 Dec, 2010 04:00 AM
Heavy rains wreaked havoc on the South Coast rail line yesterday, with three separate incidents slowing trains to a crawl….

Trains were delayed by 30 minutes from 9.15am as RailCorp crews carried out emergency repairs on signal equipment between Coalcliff and Scarborough. A RailCorp spokeswoman confirmed the incident was weather-related and repairs were completed by 10am.
Just hours later, safety monitors and land slip detectors were activated at Thirroul, forcing trains to slow down through the area between 1.20pm and 2.52pm. …

Around the same time, a train struck a large rock that had washed onto the tracks at Wombarra. Passengers were delayed by up to 30 minutes as RailCorp crews removed the rock and checked the track for damage.

Road, rail groups question harbour extension

FROM ABC Illawarra Radio, Friday August 13, 2010

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/08/13/2982370.htm?site=illawarra&section=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.

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:

http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=2917

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.

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.




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Will our main roads cope with more trucks on top of the coal trucks and car carriers? Will the Maldon Dombarton rail link be completed ?

Port Kembla Outer Harbour Expansion

Port Kembla Port Corporation (PKPC) proposes additional portside and landside facilities to attract new trades, as well as increasing the volume of existing cargoes.

PKPC has prepared a massive Environmental Assessment (EA) and is seeking concurrent Concept Plan Approval and Major Project Approval from the Minister for Planning
for the development. This is to be in three stages.

The Environmental Assesment (EA) for the Concept Plan and Stage 1 of the development of Port Kembla's Outer Harbour will be on exhibition until Friday 7 May 2010.
The document is available during business hours from:
- Department of Planning - Information Centre, 23 -33 Bridge Street, Sydney;
- NSW Nature Conservation Council - Level 2, 301 Kent Street, Sydney;
- Wollongong City Library - 41 Burelli Street, Wollongong; and
- Warrawong District Library - Westfield Shopping Centre, Warrawong.
- A copy of the EA may also be viewed on the Department of Planning's website
NSW Department of Planning MP 08-0249

Write a brief submission in response. This application to expand the Outer Harbour comes on top of the car carriers that started in 2008 and the lifting in 2009 of a long standing curfew on export coal truck movements with permission for many more coal trucks on our roads.


If you consider that the NSW Government is putting the cart before the horse in seeking to further expand Port Kembla before a start of work on the Maldon Dombarton rail link and highway upgrades, then let the Department of Planning know.
You may also wish to contact your local State MP.

The Environmental Assesment (EA) for the development of Port Kembla's Outer Harbour will be on exhibition from Thursday 25 March 2010 until Friday 7 May 2010.
The document is availble during business hours from:
- Department of Planning - Information Centre, 23 -33 Bridge Street, Sydney;
- NSW Nature Conservation Council - Level 2, 301 Kent Street, Sydney;
- Wollongong City Library - 41 Burelli Street, Wollongong; and
- Warrawong District Library - Westfield Shopping Centre, Warrawong.
- A copy of the EA may also be viewed on the Department of Planning's website


COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSION
3.00pm – 7.00pm
Tuesday 20 April 2010

Port Kembla Port Corporation
Training & Conference Centre ,Foreshore Road, Port Kembla

The community is encouraged to find out more about the project’s EA
findings and recommendations by attending a community information
session.

Attendees are invited to listen to a short presentation at 3.30pm (repeated at 6.00pm), speak to project team members and make a submission by filling out a feedback form.


Further information is available at
http://www.kemblaport.com.au

and go to the News Section.

Port Kembla is to continue growing. Will the rail system and road cope? Will the Maldon Dombarton railway be completed ?

Port Kembla Outer Harbour Development


On exhibition until 7 May 2010

NSW Department of Planning MP 08-0249

Write a brief submission in response. This application to expand the Outer Harbour comes on top of the car carriers and lifting a curfew with permission for many more coal trucks on our roads.

If you consider that the NSW Government is putting the cart before the horse in seeking to further expand Port Kembla before a start of work on Maldon Dombarton and highway upgrades, then let the Department of Planning know. You may even want to contact your local State MP.

See the following story in the Illawarra Mercury:

Public to get a say on outer harbour plan

BY MATTHEW JONES

24 Mar, 2010 04:00 AM

A $600 million expansion of Port Kembla's outer harbour took a step forward as the NSW Government unveiled an environmental assessment and Port Kembla Port Corporation gained a new director yesterday.

Overlooking the port from its multimillion-dollar maritime centre, Minister for the Illawarra Paul McLeay and Wollongong MP Noreen Hay announced that the outer harbour development environmental assessment would be open for six weeks of public consultation from tomorrow.

The 3000-page document will be available at Wollongong and Warrawong libraries and on the NSW Planning and Port Kembla Port Corporation websites.

It includes detailed studies into road and rail movements, water and air quality, noise and cultural heritage as well as management plans for green and golden bell frogs and waste.

Mr McLeay said the six-week public consultation period, which is longer than usual, reflected the Government's desire to proceed carefully with developments at the port.

"We can't do this in isolation - it must be done right," he said.

Under the the port expansion plan, about 52ha of land will be reclaimed to create seven new berths, almost doubling the port's cargo handling capacity.

The new berths will be supported by container and multi-purpose terminals and enhanced rail and road infrastructure.

Mr McLeay and Ms Hay also congratulated Janine Cullen on her appointment to the board of the Port Kembla Port Corporation.

Ms Cullen is a familiar face in the Illawarra business community and holds directorships with the Illawarra Business Chamber, The Illawarra Connection and Greenacres Disability Services.

She said she was looking forward to hitting the ground running.

"The industrial heart of this city must never be forgotten," she said.