Malcolm Turnbull has announced a $400 million spend to duplicate the remaining single-track section of Sydney’s Port Botany Rail Line, in what’s being sold to the public as a way to bust road congestion.
The funding, which will also deliver a passing loop at Cabramatta, will be included in Tuesday night’s federal budget announcement.
“Duplicating the Botany line will improve freight movement on Sydney’s rail network and encourage a shift in freight from road to rail,” Turnbull said on May 7.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation will deliver the project on behalf of the Australian Government. Construction will support 150 jobs, Turnbull said.
The project is listed by Infrastructure Australia as a high priority initiative, meaning it is yet to have its business case formally approved by the independent body.
Turnbull was nonetheless keen to commit money to the project, which he said would strengthen rail connection efficiency, improve freight transit times and increase service reliability for the Sydney region.
“This commitment will support the freight logistics and supply chain activities of existing intermodal terminals such as at Enfield and Chullora, as well as the new terminal under construction at Moorebank,” the PM said.
A 2.9-kilometre stretch of railway between Mascot and Botany will be duplicated, and a 1.4-kilometre passing loop will be built between Cabramatta and Warwick Farm.
Pacific National boss Dean Dalla Valle said the funding was good news for farmers, exporters and rail freight operators.
“Australian farmers and exporters operate in fiercely competitive global markets,” Dalla Valle said in a statement from the Freight on Rail Group, which he chairs.
“Our rail freight networks must be efficient so the price of our products and commodities appeal to buyers and consumers around the world.”
He said a duplicated rail line would facilitate frequent train shuttles to run between Port Botany and intermodal freight terminals like Chullora, Enfield, Minto, Cooks River and the future Moorebank Logistics Park.
“Moving bulk freight by rail is safer, more efficient and cleaner than road,” he said. “A typical freight train hauling cargo containers takes up to 60 B-doubles off the road, while rail freight produces 16 times less carbon pollution per tonne kilometre than road.”