Key Sydney freight line goes up for public scrutiny

<p>The environmental assessment of the dedicated Southern Sydney Freight Line goes on public display in Sydney today (Wednesday, May 3) until June 2.</p> <p>The $200m, 30 km track from Sefton to Macarthur will give a direct connection from Port Botany to major intermodal facilities in southwest Sydney such as Macarthur Intermodal and ShippingTerminal, the planned Patrick facility at Ingleburn, and the mooted terminal site at Moorebank.</p> <p>It is to be completed by the end of 2009. </p> <p>Sefton is close to the Chullora intermodal facilities and Sydney Ports Corporation’s planned intermodal logistics terminal at Enfield. </p> <p>The freight line is a major part of the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s $1.4bn upgrade of the north-south rail routes, which fell into place after New South Wales agreed to lease its major lines to the ARTC in 2004. </p> <p>The new railway will run along the western side of the existing southern rail line, cross the Glenfield rail junction on a flyover, and then on to Sefton on the eastern and southern side of the existing suburban rail lines. There will be major modifications to track and passenger stations along the route.</p> <p>Last year, Patrick won a court fight to build four 400-metre sidings and a gantry crane at Ingleburn, next to the new line, designed to handle both Botany shuttle trains and auto movements from Melbourne. </p> <p>MIST, also on the new line, is expected to buy the disputed 300-metre rail siding next to its Minto terminal as part of Toll’s deal with the ACCC. </p> <p>Next month it will also take control of a neighbouring 3 ha of land, with plans for two 800-metre sidings and shunting facilities for longer trains. </p> <p>P&#38O and QR are also thought to be taking an interest in the Minto development.</p> <p>There has also been a proposal for a large interstate rail terminal and industrial site at Menangle, a few kilometres further south of Macarthur. </p> <br />