Cut the Commute

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Wollongong Transport Coalition (WTC) commends the Editorial of the Illawarra Mercury for 15 July:

“Our readers have made it loud and clear through the columns of these pages as part of our Cut the Commute campaign”. For full article click HERE

Wollongong Transport Coalition (WTC) would like to thank the Lord Mayor and Councillors of Wollongong City Council who are completing a six year term of office, and looks forward to working with the new Council.

 WTC also commends the unanimous motion passed by Council on 29 May 2017 moved by Councillor Merrin and as amended as follows:

1.     Given the recently-released analysis of the economic, social and environmental advantages to Wollongong of improving rail transport in the region, in comparison to building the M1 Motorway in southern Sydney, Council write to Local Members, the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, The Hon Andrew Constance MP, and the Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, The Hon Melinda Pavey MP, requesting

a.    that public transport and freight rail options be included in the business case for theM1 Motorway;

b.    all relevant information pertaining to the costs and benefits of rail improvements in the Illawarra to be released to the public; and

c.    advice on how the Government will reduce rail travel times between Wollongong and Sydney.

2.     The letters also outline

a.    the great opportunity the recently announced Federal Government National Rail Program which has been designed specifically for Regional areas is for our region;

b.    the assurance that Wollongong Council recognises the great opportunity for growth to the Illawarra if the rail corridors linking Wollongong to other areas, such as Sydney and South Western Sydney were developed to a standard that would enable our rail infrastructure to meet the current demands and the future needs of the area;

c.    that the recently-announced Federal funds for rail infrastructure would fit perfectly, if they were achieved, into the future expected residential and business needs for this region;

d.    that those funds would help to facilitate the completion of the long overdue and much-needed revamp of the Illawarra rail line.

3.     Council ensure that these letters are prepared and sent as soon as possible.

NSW FREIGHT AND PORTS STRATEGY

           Throughout 2013, WTC had been watching with interest the development of a NSW Freight and Ports Strategy, and supported the submission lodged in February 2013 by Neighbourhood Forum 5 of Wollongong City Council in response to a draft strategy. The draft strategy had scope for a marked improvement as it proceeded to a final version, not only for the Illawarra, but the state of New South Wales as a whole.

            It appears that the NSW final Freight and Ports Strategy, released in late 2013,  gives priority to heavier trucks (such as B-Triples on the Hume) as opposed to increasing rail freight productivity and competitiveness.

            However, the Queensland Freight Strategy released in 2013  has as its first set of priorities getting more freight onto rail. The 2013 Victorian freight strategy has a Mode Shift Incentive Scheme. 

            For related comment, see

https://theconversation.com/too-many-loads-on-our-roads-when-rail-is-the-answer-24118

             Wollongong Council Neighbourhood Forums 5 and 6 at its meeting of February 2014  requested: 

1          Rail improvements for better safety, reliability and speed of passenger and freight services:

i           a commitment from the NSW Government to make a financial contribution to expedite completion of the Maldon Dombarton rail line;

ii          as per the original consent condition for Port Kembla Inner Harbour, 20 per cent of all car imports to be moved by rail from Port Kembla.

2          Road freight improvements:  

i         bulk haul trucks to pay more than their road system costs not less and to cover their social and environmental costs, this to include a surcharge on all road deliveries of bulk coal and grain to Port Kembla and quarry products passing through Wollongong to Sydney;

ii          the timing of the Mount Ousley Road grade separated access to Fairy Meadow and the University of Wollongong ;

iii         upgrade the Appin Road to Campbelltown.

3.         Noise mitigation

More efforts to reduce truck noise arising from heavy trucks using the F6 and the Mt Ousley Road.

4.         Mode Shift

  The introduction of a Mode Shift Incentive Scheme into New South Wales, similar to the Victorian one.

5.         Transport Strategy

   Advice as to when the previously promised Illawarra Region Transport Strategy is to be released. 

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.   

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University Area Traffic

For some years, as the University of Wollongong has grown, traffic and parking on nearby streets is becoming an issue.  A Planning Proposal by the University for Gleniffer Brae, which if approved in its present form will have traffic impacts, may be viewed at Council's home page

http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au

Concerns about this proposal of the Gleniffer Brae Community Support Group may be found at www.glenifferbrae.com

Council is receiving comment until September 14 on this proposal. 

Wollongong City Council Concerns re Trucks

At its meeting of 30 January, 2012 Wollongong City Council resolved as follows:

1. Wollongong City Council inform Transport for New South Wales of its concern about the increased use of road-based bulk haulage within the Wollongong Local Government Area, focussed on Port Kembla. Wollongong City Council requests a report from Transport for New South Wales on the environmental and social impact on the City of such planned increase.

2. A report be prepared on the impact of increased road-based bulk haulage on Council roads and infrastructure.

3. Wollongong City Council reaffirms its commitment to focus upon and support the upgrade of railway infrastructure for the movement of commodities and freight through Port Kembla, as per Council’s resolution of 27 September 2011, Minute No 147.

4. Council support the decision of the Federal Government in October 2011 to advance the Maldon-Dombarton link with a $24.5M commitment for works to make the project shovel-ready.

5. Councillors be given a briefing on any breaches of the truck curfew conditions.

6. Council officers be empowered to make submissions to any future developments in the region that add significantly more trucks onto Wollongong roads and such submissions express Council’s position for preference of freight haulage by rail (or ship).

7. Council urgently lodge a submission with IPART in its review of rail access pricing on the grain line network and to ask IPART to consider the impact of extra grain trucks on Mt Ousley and other Wollongong highways.