Project DescriptionA pre-feasibility study, funded by the Australian Government, has been completed on the Maldon to Dombarton freight rail line in NSW. The study included the development of a business case to examine the economics of the completing the Maldon to Dombarton freight rail line and a gaps analysis to identify the work required to enable possible future construction of the rail link. A copy of the study is available at Related Links below. A further $3 million has now been committed to undertake a feasibility study to examine the planning and engineering work necessary to obtain firm costings and determine whether this project ultimately proceeds. This section of railway currently consists of 15 kilometres of dual standard gauge track from Port Kembla to Dombarton and a 35 kilometre partly completed link between Dombarton and Maldon, near Picton, to the south-west of Sydney. The Maldon - Dombarton section was commenced by the NSW government in 1983, to improve access for coal trains to Port Kembla. However the contract for construction of the Avon tunnel was cancelled by the NSW Government in mid-1988 on the basis that the line was not economically viable. BenefitsThis study examined the economic viability of the Maldon-Dombarton rail line in the context of the growth in coal export demand, the growth of Southern Sydney as a freight and business hub and the expansion of Port Kembla following the transfer of vehicle imports from Port Jackson. FundingThe Australian Government provided $300,000 for the pre-feasibility study. TimetableThis project was commenced in January 2009 and is now complete. The Final Report was released on 8 July 2009. Related LinksMaldon to Dombarton Freight Rail Line Pre-feasibility Study |