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The government needs to look at bringing forward the start date for the Maldon-Dombarton rail line, according to a state parliament report. It also suggests seeking federal funds to improve the South Coast rail line. On Thursday, the Standing Committee on State Development – chaired by a government MP – released a report on how a growing Sydney affects regional development. One of its 22 recommendations was “that the NSW Government explore options to bring forward construction of the Maldon to Dombarton railway line”. The report also looked at the submission from the Illawarra Business Chamber, which dealt with an upgraded version of the freight line – which it tagged the South West Illawarra Rail Link (SWIRL). The new proposal would carry both passengers and freight. In recommending action on the freight rail line, the committee noted it appeared in the government’s Future Transport Strategy 2056 as a project with a 10-20 year time frame. READ MORE: Freight forced to use roads if Maldon-Dombarton not built “We understand that the potential benefits of the new rail link include job creation, economic growth, improved public transport and freight links, and alleviating road congestion,” the committee stated. There was also a call to seek funding through the National Rail Program to develop a detailed business case for upgrades to the South Coast rail line. Wollongong MP Paul Scully said the report gave a “much-needed shot in the arm” to crucial infrastructure projects in the Illawarra. “We know from the release of the government’s own business case, which I had to fight to obtain, that unless Maldon-Dombarton is completed, within the next five years there will be massive congestion of the South Coast line and on roads in and out of the Illawarra with the resulting gridlock threatening the viability of Port Kembla,” Mr Scully said. “The report recognises the importance of the need to complete construction of the Maldon-Dombarton rail link and urges bringing forward its construction.”

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