THE Rudd Labor Government has announced $580 million in new money for a $1 billion program to double capacity on the Hunter Valley rail lines.
The $1 billion program will more than double the amount of coal that can be transported to the Port of Newcastle from 97 million tonnes per annum to 200.
Federal member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon said the announcment, made on Friday by Transport Minister Anthony Albanese, puts the Hunter Valley front and centre in the government’s priorities.
“The Hunter Valley is the world’s largest coal export supply chain and I am pleased that the Government understands how critical it is for the local economy and jobs,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“This is fantastic news and couldn’t come at a better time for the Hunter, which is feeling the effects of the global financial crisis.
“The funding means we can get started almost immediately on improving the rail network for the future and support 650 jobs during the construction phase in the local community.
“It’s a win win for our community,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald Australian Rail Track Corporation chief David Marchant said the Government was providing $580,000 million of the $1.2 billion to help expand the Hunter Valley coal rail lines.
He said the corporation would borrow another $420 million on the open market, taking its Hunter committment to $1 billion.
In the meantime a number of residents in the Whittingham area have lodged submissions on the environmental assessment of the Minimbah Bank Third Track project.
One resident made the comment that a broader environmental impact statement was warranted as anyone living along the track would experience an increase in the noise and vibrations because the track use would be doubling.
Program of billion dollar rail works
Maitland to Branxton ($40 million) - replacement of old signalling equipment with modern and more reliable bidirectional signalling equipment that will allow trains to travel in either direction on either track. This will help improve safety and reduce costs. Expected completion in 2009.
Minimbah Bank ($114 million) - a third rail line along the Minimbah Bank starting north of the Whittingham junction. This will reduce bottlenecks, increase the capacity of the line to 165 million tonnes a year and improve reliability of passenger services by allowing passenger trains to overtake freight trains. Expected completion in 2010.
St Heliers to Muswellbrook ($27 million) - extension of the double track from St Heliers to Muswellbrook, a new signalling and replacement of three bridges. It will create significant additional rail capacity in the critical section of the coal chain, through increasing the available daily freight train paths from 21 to 96 between Antiene and Muswellbrook. Expected completion in 2009.
Minimbah to Maitland (270 million) - construction of a third rail line between Maitland and Minimbah. It will increase capacity, expecially in peak periods and reduce the impact of maintenance work. Expected to commence in 2009 and complete in 2012.
Liverpool Ranges ($290 million) - a new rail alignment to reduce steepness of the track and ease expected capacity restrictions for coal, grain, cotton and flour freight. This will be undertaken with the full participation of the mining industry and is expected to be complete in 2011.
Ulan Line ($57 million) - construction of new pasing loops along the 170 kilometre line at Bylong, Warondi, Aerosol Valley and Radio Hunt to enable trains to pass each other and duplication of the rail line from Bengalla to Muswellbrook. Expected completion in 2011.
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