Action for Public Transport (N.S.W.) Inc.

928 TRANSPORT SERVICES

Ms Rhiannon asked the Minister for Transport Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Natural Resources (Forests)

1. With regards to the North-West Rail Link joining Epping to Castle Hill that was foreshadowed in Action for Transport 2010:
   1. What stage is that line at now?
   2. What is the new estimated completion date?
   3. Is it likely that this line will ever be built?
   4. If so, will it be publicly funded?
2. With regards to the Hornsby to Newcastle High Speed Rail that was foreshadowed in Action for Transport 2010:
   1. What stage is that line at now?
   2. What is the new estimated completion date for both stages of the line:
      1. Stage 1 to Warnervale; and
      2. Stage 2 (the remainder)?
   3. Is it likely that this line will ever be built?
   4. If so, will it be publicly funded?
3. With regards to the Sutherland to Wollongong High Speed Rail that was foreshadowed in Action for Transport 2010:
   1. What stage is that line at now?
   2. What is the new estimated completion date?
   3. Is it likely that this line will ever be built?
   4. If so, will it be publicly funded?
4. With regards to the Hurstville to Strathfield Railway Line that was foreshadowed in Action for Transport 2010:
   1. What stage is that line at now?
   2. What is the new estimated completion date?
   3. Is it likely that this line will ever be built?
   4. If so, will it be publicly funded?
5. With regards to the Liverpool Y Link that was foreshadowed in Action for Transport 2010:
   1. What stage is that project at now?
   2. What is the new estimated completion date?
   3. Is it likely that this line will ever be built?
   4. If so, will it be publicly funded?

1. The Government is continuing with the detailed planning necessary for the delivery of the North West Rail Link from Epping to Castle Hill and Rouse Hill. Studies examining engineering design, geotechnical conditions, patronage forecasts, alternative modes and alignments, land use and property matters, and environmental assessment are expected to be completed by the end of 2004. Funding options will be examined as part of the ongoing feasibility study analysis of the North West Rail Link.
2. A considerable amount of investigation into transport infrastructure has been conducted since 1998, examining ways to improve the rail corridor between Sydney and Newcastle. Detailed analysis of this project since this time has determined that the high speed rail alignment is more expensive than originally anticipated, due to the difficult nature of the corridor, including:
   1. The river crossing;
   2. Steep terrain; and
   3. The need for a considerable amount of tunnelling.
   The Government is committed to providing improved rail services for the Central Coast and Newcastle regions. As part of this commitment 40 Outer-Suburban carriages are under construction to increase peak period services from 2006. Under the Rail Clearways Plan the Government has committed to two projects that will improve reliability and capacity for Central Coast and Newcastle commuters. These are the $6 million additional platform at Berowra and the $30 million additional platform at Hornsby, both of which will relieve congestion in the corridor.
3. In 2003 a Rail Improvement Thirroul Tunnel Study investigated the operational, environmental and engineering constraints of a proposed Thirroul Tunnel and identified other potentially more cost-effective options that included track realignments and short tunnels. The Government is committed to providing improved rail services to the Illawarra Region. As part of this commitment 40 Outer-Suburban carriages are under construction to increase peak period services from 2006. Under the Rail Clearways Plan the Government has committed to two projects that will improve reliability and capacity for Illawarra commuters. These are:
   1. Construction of the Bondi Junction turnback and stabling facility by 2005 at a cost of $55million (this will allow more services per hour to run from the Illawarra line)
   2. Duplication of the Cronulla line costing in excess of $100 million.
   These initiatives will reduce congestion for Wollongong/South Coast commuters travelling to Sydney.
4. Work for the new Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney will involve strategic transport planning and include consideration of the Action for Transport 2010 commitments. Consideration of the proposed Hurstville-Strathfield Railway and possible alternatives will be included in this work.
5. This project has been superseded by the Rail Clearways program (namely the Bankstown Rail Clearway) that will deliver improved passenger outcomes compared to the Liverpool Y Link, without adding to the complexity of the rail network's operational patterns. As part of the Rail Clearways Plan the Government has committed to two projects that will improve reliability and capacity for Liverpool commuters. These are:
   1. Construction of the Liverpool turnback at a cost of $50 million
   2. Construction of the Lidcombe turnback at a cost of $50 million
   3. 2 Additional Tracks between Sydenham and Erskinville $190 million