Article: Plans laid for inland rail line

[ozbob]

From the Northern Daily Leader click here!

Plans laid for inland rail line

Plans laid for inland rail line
11 May, 2011 04:00 AM

FUNDING of $300 million, including $30m in 2014 -15, will allow the detailed planning work and necessary land resumptions for the Melbourne to Brisbane inland rail route to begin in late 2014 along the corridor identified last year.

Stretching 1700km, the rail line would relieve pressure on the existing, increasingly congested coastal line through Sydney as well as reduce by up to seven hours the time it takes to transport freight by rail between the nation's second and third biggest cities.

It would also deliver new jobs and economic opportunities to communities throughout inland NSW, Queensland and Victoria including Moree, Narromine, Parkes, Toowoomba, Wagga Wagga and Albury.

Costing about $4.7 billion and estimated to take eight years, construction of the line will involve upgrading 430km of existing track and laying 600km of new track.

A spokesman for the federal government said from the outset the modernisation of the interstate rail freight network had been central to the commonwealth's broader efforts to lift productivity, curb carbon emissions and take the pressure off the nation's highways.

"Beyond the Inland Rail Link project, we've allocated $3.4 billion over the life of the current Nation Building Program to rebuild 3771km of existing track and lay 235km of new track, the most extensive capital works program in generations," the spokesman said.

The following upgrades are expected to be completed during the next 12 months:

n Replacing all the old timber and steel sleepers with one million new concrete sleepers along the 691 kilometre line between Broken Hill and Parkes – Federal contribution: $253 million;

n Reducing the severity of the curves at some 58 locations between Newcastle and the Queensland border by realigning the existing track, improvements which will allow trains to run at higher speeds – Federal contribution: $170 million;

As well as investing in Australia's immediate infrastructure needs, the government is also planning for the nation's future. That's why we've commissioned a $20 million feasibility study to determine the route, costs, economic merits and financial viability of a high speed rail network along Australia's east coast.

[somebody]

Is this actually going to happen or is it a gabfest which will suck up money from useful projects?

[ozbob]

http://www.anthonyalbanese.com.au/file.php?file=/news/EJSAUFATEFHRHWBJFFTLHFZC/index.html

Inland Rail Finally Out Of The Station

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP
Minister for Infrastructure & Transport
Leader of the House
Federal Member for Grayndler

May 10 2011


The Gillard Labor Government has fulfilled yet another pre-election infrastructure pledge, with the 2011-12 Budget providing funding to complete the tasks necessary to prepare the way for construction of a new rail line connecting Brisbane to Melbourne via the Central West of NSW.

First conceived over a century ago, the initial funding committed in Labor's fourth budget to the Inland Rail Link project – $300 million including $30 million in 2014-15 – will allow the detailed planning work and necessary lands resumptions to begin in late 2014 along the corridor identified last year.

Ultimately stretching 1,700 kilometres, the rail line would relieve pressure on the existing, increasingly congested coastal line through Sydney as well as reduce by up to 7 hours the time it takes to transport freight by rail between the nation's second and third biggest cities.

It would also deliver new jobs and economic opportunities to communities throughout inland Queensland, NSW and Victoria including Toowoomba, Moree, Narromine, Parkes, Wagga Wagga and Albury.

Costing approximately $4.7 billion and taking over eight years, construction of the line will involve upgrading 430 kilometres of existing track and laying 600 kilometres of new track – see attached map.

From the outset the modernisation of the interstate rail freight network has been central the Gillard Labor Government's broader efforts to lift productivity, curb harmful carbon emissions and take the pressure off the nation's highways.

Put simply, we want more freight on the back of trains.

Beyond the Inland Rail Link project, we've allocated $3.4 billion over the life of the current Nation Building Program to rebuild 3,771 kilometres of existing track and lay 235 kilometres of new track, the most extensive capital works program in generations – see attached map.

This year alone, work will commence on re-railing and re-sleepering the 239 kilometres line between Albury, Melbourne and Geelong as well as upgrading the old bridges it crosses.

At the other end of the construction cycle, the following upgrades are expected to be completed over the next 12 months:

• Replacing all the old timber and steel sleepers with one million new concrete sleepers along the 691 kilometre line between Broken Hill and Parkes – Federal contribution: $253 million;

• Reducing the severity of the curves at some 58 locations between Newcastle and the Queensland border by realigning the existing track, improvements which will allow trains to run at higher speeds – Federal contribution: $170 million;

• Extending seven existing passing loops on the line between Melbourne and Adelaide – Federal contribution: $76 million.

Of the 32 major upgrades scheduled to be delivered across the interstate rail network by the end of the current Program in 2013-14, 13 are already completed and 11 are under construction.

When compared to our predecessors' record, this Labor Government is investing twice as much in half the time to renew this vital national asset – and despite having 12 years to act and the record tax revenues to pay for it, the Liberal and National Parties chose to do nothing to progress the Inland Rail Link.

As well as investing in Australia's immediate infrastructure needs, the Gillard Labor Government is also planning for the nation's future. That's why we've commissioned a $20 million feasibility study to determine the route, costs, economic merits and financial viability of a high speed rail network along Australia's east coast.

[Stillwater]

I wonder whether politicians, outside their office, make the sorts of statements they make to the public.  If they did, they may say something along these lines:

"Today I laid the groundwork for securing $20 million to ensure a sound financial future for my family.  The planning in place, I have put down a deposit on a BMW vehicle and determined the route of a round-the-world trip for the wife and I.  As promised, I outlaid $20 at the newsagent to guarantee the monetary backing we need to fund the lifestyle we have planned so meticulously. Our lotto win is assured."

[Jonno]

I too wish they would start the land resumptions now and get going. This is a key peice of our transport future and we are just dawlding along in its construction.

I notice that there is no mention of how many trucks this and the upgraded coast line are likely to take off our roads and thus the savings in road maintence, construction and truma costs.

[colinw]

Just not via Toowoomba!  It should be taking a more southerly route via Warwick or Clifton.

[Stillwater]

   There are other better routes than via Toowoomba.  If Toowoomba is chosen, then governments must build the Toowoomba Range bypass road to service a freight hub west of the city.  It's costs are in the billions.  The Clifton route is an old bullock dray route and has a gentle incline, or at least one better than the Toowoomba Range.

[colinw]

The Gatton to Clifton road is by far the most gentle ascent of the main range, compared to the sharp climbs at Toowoomba and Cunningham's Gap.