Southern Sydney Freight Line plans on exhibition
The Australian Rail Track Corporation is presently undertaking a program
of works to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of rail
freight services along the North-South Rail Corridor between Melbourne,
Sydney and Brisbane. As part of this work the ARTC proposes to construct
the Southern Sydney Freight Line (the SSFL), which would provide a
dedicated freight line for a distance of 30 kilometres between Macarthur
and Sefton in southern Sydney. The SSFL would provide a third track in
the rail corridor specifically for freight services, allowing passenger
and freight services to operate independently.

The proposal requires approval from the NSW Minister for Planning and
the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage. The
Environment Assessment has been prepared to satisfy the requirements of
the Director-General of the NSW Department of Planning and the
Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage. The
Environmental Assessment describes the project in detail, its method of
construction, and the associated environmental impacts and management. 

The Environmental Assessment is on public exhibition from Wednesday 3
May 2006 to Friday 2 June 2006. Members of the community are invited to
make a written submission on the Environmental Assessment. Submissions
must be received by Friday 2 June 2006. Submissions are to be sent to:
<br>
<br>Glenn Snow
<br>Major Infrastructure Assessments
<br>Department of Planning
<br>GPO Box 39
<br>Sydney NSW 2001

The EIS can be seen at:
<ul>
<li>Department of Planning, 23-33 Bridge St Sydney
<li>Australian Rail Track Corporation, Level 15, 60 Carrington St Sydney
<li>Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Level 5, 362 Kent St Sydney.
</ul>
or see
<a href=http://www.ssfl.artc.com.au/>http://www.ssfl.artc.com.au/</a>.

Further information: 1800-998-781