The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has called on the New South Wales government to revive a key abandoned rail project in what it has labelled as a “game-changer” for both freight and passenger rail across the state.
The Maldon-Dombarton line has been cited as a key example of a project that should be revived. The line been teased to the state’s rail operators for almost half a century following the initial abandonment of the project in the 1980s.
The union will urge the NSW Labor Party to commit to developing regional rail throughout the state at the ALP State Conference at the end of the month.
“The Maldon-Dombarton line in the perfect example of a rail line that needs to be opened,” RTBU NSW Secretary Toby Warnes says.
“At the moment we have two huge growth regions without any connection to each other.
“Over the past three decades the closure of rail lines and services across NSE has reduced the mobility of regional communities.
“Our rail freight is also limited by a lack of infrastructure. When you consider rail is the cleanest, greenest mass-transit system we have available it makes complete sense to focus our efforts on maximising the use of it.”
Warnes asserts rail projects should not only be focused on reviving closed and abandoned lines and projects though.
“The NSW government should be focused not just on reopening closed rail lines, but also on finding opportunity for rail expansion to other areas of the state,” he continues.
“It’s time to shift thinking on regional rail and identify both previously closed rail lines for refurbishment, as well as new opportunities for new regions to be serviced by this vital transport infrastructure.”
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