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While admitting part of the rail line between Wollongong and Sydney “will exceed capacity” in a few years, an upgrade is at least 10 years away, according to a national infrastructure priority list. The March list from Infrastructure Australia ranks projects across the country in terms of their importance. “Our Infrastructure Priority List has become a critical point of reference for governments so that they can invest in projects that best meet our future infrastructure needs,” said IA chair Julieanne Alroe. Upgrades to the rail line between Wollongong and Sydney is listed as a “priority project”, but are classed as a “longer term” priority. That means a wait of between 10 and 15 years. However, elsewhere in the list it notes the Illawarra line – which starts at Waterfall – is one of the lines that will exceed its capacity by 2021. Regional Development Australia Illawarra CEO Debra Murphy was shocked by this. “The Illawarra rail line is at capacity in 2021 – yet we are not doing anything about it except identifying the initiative in next 10-15 years,” Ms Murphy said. “This is simply ridiculous.” The list includes possible improvements to the line such as “new deviations to eliminate curvatures and flatten grades” and a second rail crossing of the escarpment. The Maldon-Dombarton rail line – which Infrastructure Australia previously found “would not justify its costs” – did not make the list. However “freight rail access to Port Kembla” was included as a priority initiative with a timeline of 0-5 years. The list stated improved access “could be through enhancements to the Illawarra and/or Moss Vale–Unanderra lines, or through future development of an alternative rail alignment to the port”. Ms Murphy said this should be a high-priority project. “If we don’t start progressing freight rail now, then this is a missed opportunity for the growth of the Port of Port Kembla, our nationally significant asset,” she said.

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