News in Brief – 20-26 January 2010

Maldon-Dombarton feasibility study underway
By Sineva Toevai
The Federal Government has selected ACIL Tasman and Hyder Consulting to conduct a $3m feasibility study into the completion of Illawarra’s Maldon-Dombarton rail line.
The two consultants will establish the cost of the project and the viability of a 35km standard gauge rail line linking the Illawarra Line from Wollongong to the main southern line running from Sydney via Campbelltown.
“The study will assess existing infrastructure, engineering requirements and likely demand for the proposed line as well as undertaking detailed economic and financial modeling,” federal transport minister Anthony Albanese said.
The study comes after a pre-feasibility assessment found that the rail line had long term economic merit, particularly with the recent upgrade and expansion of Port Kembla, which is now the New South Wales hub for ro-ro, breakbulk cargo and vehicles.
The freight line’s construction, which started in 1983, was terminated by the NSW Government in 1988 because it was not deemed to be economically viable.
The feasibility study is due to be finished by mid 2011.
Source: Lloyd’s List Daily Commercial News – www.lloydslistdcn.com.au

Tenders called for Sydney's light rail extension
A call for tenders to carry out a light rail extension assessment study for two proposed routes through the CBD was announced last week by NSW transport minister David Campbell.
The study had originally intended to examine a proposed extension into the Inner West and to Barrangaroo via the western corridor of the CBD, however following consultation with local councils it was agreed to expand the scope of the study to include a proposed extension along George Street, linking Circular Quay back to Central Station to form a CBD loop, Campbell said.
Ashfield, Marrickville, Leichhardt and City of Sydney councils have together contributed $140,000 towards the cost of the study, while the Barangaroo Delivery Authority has also joined the project by committing an additional $100,000.
“The study will look at the costs, as well as well as demand, technical issues, integration with other public transport, operating costs and other impacts, to determine whether an extension is viable,’’ Campbell said.
Once the tender is awarded, the study is expected to take around three months to complete.

UK firm chosen for SA rail electrification
UK firm Enotrac will reportedly carry out the power system study for  Outh Australia's rail electrification project which is expected to allow Adelaide’s passenger rail network to operate a mix of converted 3,000 Class rolling stock and the new 4,000 Class EMUs, which are scheduled to arrive from late 2012.
Enotrac will assess the proposed design for the 25kV booster transformer electrification scheme covering loading, power quality and EMC studies, it was reported.

NSW transport blueprint delayed
The NSW government’s long awaited transport blueprint is a “high priority” for the state government, however, it still needs to go through “cabinet and  budget process and that will commence when cabinet resumes in February”, NSW Premier Kristina Keneally reportedly said.
The $180 billion plan to overhaul NSW’s public transport over the next 25 years was originally due to be announced last November.

GrainCorp quiet on Irwin's decision to quit
By Sineva Toevai
GrainCorp's managing director and chief executive, Mark Irwin, has quit his post with his resignation to be effective immediately.
In a statement released to the Australian Securities Exchange, the east coast grain handler did not provide specific reasons for Mr Irwin's sudden departure.
However, a spokesman for the company told Lloyd's List DCN that the board of directors' decision to accept Irwin's resignation was not related to financial matters although the board members “felt it was in the best interest of the company”.
Graincorp's chief financial officer, Ian Wilton, will take the helm while the company searches for a new chief executive.
The spokesman said the international search for Irwin's replacement would probably take between three and six months.
The company reaffirmed the earnings guidance it outlined last month of $180-$210m in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for the 2010 financial year.
Source: Lloyd’s List Daily Commercial News – www.lloydslistdcn.com.au