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/

MALDON DOMBARTON

              Before the September 2013 federal election, the outgoing government was prepared to allocate $50 million towards advancing completion of the Maldon Dombarton rail link.

            However, in a wide ranging speech focussing on rail freight made by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Hon Warren Truss MP, on 28 November 2013 at an AusRAIL Conference in Sydney, no mention was made of the Maldon Dombarton link.

            WTC hopes that this was an oversight, and that the new federal government be prepared to match the offer, in full or in part, of the outgoing government, to allocate $50 million towards advancing the Maldon Dombarton link.

            As above, we would also like the NSW Government to show more interest in completing this 35 km rail link.

MORE TRUCKS FOR MT OUSLEY

            In January 2014, the NSW Department of Planning and lnfrastructure gave approval for Hansons for their Bass Point Quarry Project, with the option of more quarry trucks on the Mt Ousley and other roads. 

            If this was not enough, an approval was given in February 2014 for Boral to put more quarry trucks on our roads from their Dunmore Quarry. 

            Cleary Brothers also want more quarry trucks on our roads. The only concession to motorists who use the Mt Ousley and other roads and people who live near the roads is that the three quarry operators shall co-fund and "cause to be prepared an independent Cumulative Traffic Impact Study. The study must be undertaken by a suitably qualified traffic consultant, … be commissioned by 30 June 2014, and completed by 31 October 2014 and is to:

*  include a comprehensive assessment of current and future projected cumulative traffic impacts of the three quarries on the classified road network, undertaken in consultation with the RMS; and

*  identify any reasonable and feasible measures that can be implemented to minimise the traffic and road safety impacts of quarry trucks on Mount Ousley Road, and the likely cost of implementing these measures.

            WTC would suggest that the Cumulative Traffic Impact Study should have a steering committee comprising not only the industry and RMS but also a representative from Wollongong City Council and the community.

            Also in January 2014 Scott Corporation was meeting New South Wales authorities in relation to the use of A-double style heavy vehicles in the NSW Illawarra region for coal haulage. WTC would ask that full consultation with Wollongong City Council and the community take place before any approvals are given, and that any trials are for a small number of vehicles only.   

.  

Is it good for Wollongong that Mr. Nick Whitlam chairs the boards of both Port Kembla and Sydney Ports?

-->

In late February Treasurer Mike Baird and Roads and Ports Minister Duncan Gay announced the appointment of Nicholas Whitlam as Chairman of Sydney Ports Corporation.

This was in addition to his role as Chairman of Port Kembla Port Corporation.

Mr Baird said in a statement  “I’m sure his experience will be invaluable in his new role, as the Government prepares for the long term lease of Port Botany and Port Kembla.” 

In 2003 the NSW Carr Government released a NSW Ports Growth Plan. This set the scene for moving car imports to Port Kembla and an inquiry held by a NSW Legislative Council Committee. Their 2005 Final Report into Port Infrastructure in NSW gave recommendations, including “that the NSW Government consider completion of the Maldon to Dombarton line…”

This report also states  "that a container terminal at Port Kembla could potentially contribute $400 million to the regional economy." In todays terms this is over $500 million.

However, if the NSW Government leases Port Kembla and Port Botany to the same private sector company, there would be a reduced incentive to develop Port Kembla as a container port.

Quite simply, a common owner or leaseholder of both Port Kembla and Port Botany is likely to continue to use Port Botany as a sole container port for as long as possible. In this case, development of Port Kembla to handle containers and completion of Maldon Dombarton would be delayed.

In this case, the promised contribution of $100 million to regional infrastructure should be increased to regional value of a container port at Port Kembla. That is $500 million.