Push to get Wollongong-Sydney rail link back on track

<p>The imminent expansion of Port Kembla has re-ignited calls to complete an abandoned rail line between Wollongong and southwestern Sydney.</p> <p>The <em>Illawarra Mercury</em> reports this morning (Monday, July 17) that the Maldon-Dombarton rail project is the subject of renewed support from local councils and resident groups.</p> <p>The line received significant funding support in the mid 1980s, but was then abandoned in 1988 by then-New South Wales premier Nick Greiner. </p> <p>Millions of dollars were pumped into the project before it was abandoned, leaving a third of the route, including a crossing of the Nepean River, incomplete.</p> <p>The nearby Port Kembla is due to handle a third of Australia’s annual car trade when Sydney’s Port Jackson facilities at Darling Harbour, Glebe Island and White Bay close from 2008. </p> <p>The move will see 240,000 cars movements through the port each year, most of which will travel by road. </p> <p>Some have also questioned the level of access to the line and the volumes the line can handle.</p> <p>If completed, the rail connection would be used to relieve congestion on an existing line which is shared by freight and passenger services.</p> <p>Picton Tahmoor Thirlmere Action Group member John McRae told the newspaper that the port’s expansion plans and a truck accident in the area last week made it more important to finish the line. </p> <p>&#8220The whole port is going to keep expanding, there’s no way in the world the roads can cope with the extra traffic,&#8221 Mr McRae said.</p> <p>The group is also lobbying Wollongong and Sutherland local councils for support in getting the project back on track.</p> <p>A private company is also said to be making moves to complete the line.</p> <p>NSW transport minister John Watkins said the Government would consider any proposal from the private or public sectors to complete the line.</p> <br />