Media Releases
Friday, 22nd January 2010
ACIL Tasman Pty Ltd and Hyder Consulting Plc have been selected to conduct the feasibility study into a possible rail line between Maldon and Port Kembla via Dombarton.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the two independent consultants that have been appointed to undertake the $3 million study bring with them extensive experience and expertise.
“Their task will be to calculate accurate costing figures and determine the viability of building a 35 kilometre standard gauge rail line connecting the Illawarra Line from Wollongong to the Main Southern Line running from Sydney via Campbelltown,” said Mr Albanese.
“In making these conclusions the study will assess existing infrastructure, engineering requirements and likely demand for the proposed line, as well as undertake detailed economic and financial modelling.”
Commissioning of this detailed planning work follows an earlier pre-feasibility study which found that completing the rail line has long term economic merit but more work needed to be done before sensible investment decisions could be made.
“The Illawarra community will welcome the commitment by the Federal Labor Government to the next stage of evaluating the completion of the rail link,” said Throsby MP Jennie George.
Cunningham MP Sharon Bird said: “This is an important part of determining the feasibility of the possible completion of the Maldon-Dombarton rail link. I am looking forward to the study’s conclusions”.
The study’s outcomes will also be fed into the comprehensive national port and freight strategies currently being developed by Infrastructure Australia.
The feasibility study is expected to be completed by mid 2011.
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Phone: 02 9564 3588
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Electorate Office
334a Marrickville Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone: 02 9564 3588
Parliament House Office
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6277 7700
Phone: (02) 9564 3588
Fax: (02) 9564 1734
Email: A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our offices stand and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the sorrow of the Stolen Generations and the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We also recognise the resilience, strength and pride of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Authorised by Anthony Albanese. 334a Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204.