The Greens want to see at least 50% of Sydney-Brisbane freight carried by rail by 2014. Currently the share of freight carried by rail is falling, down from 24% in 1996 to 12% in 2006. This trend is exactly the opposite of what the great challenges of climate change and Peak Oil demand, and it needs to be reversed urgently.
“It’s not impossible but it will take significant political will and it will take integrated transport planning and appropriate levels of investment,” said Greens candidate for Lyne Susie Russell.
Ms Russell will discuss transport infrastructure with Greens State MP and Transport Spokesperson Lee Rhiannon when she visits the electorate on Tuesday.
“Planning for freight on rail makes sense every way you look at it,” Ms Russell said. “Peak Oil means fuel prices will continue to skyrocket. Climate Change demands we drastically cut our greenhouse gases, and fewer trucks would mean improved road safety and less road maintenance costs.
“Along with better freight terminals in Sydney, the priority is to improve the quality of the track. That’s the biggest impediment to making rail competitive. Track straightening and rail deviations to eliminate tight curves could cut 2 hours off the freight train transit time. We need a commitment of $1billion over the next 5 years to do this work.
“The Federal Government has had a rail Inquiry report for 12 months now. It knows the problems and the answers. As the report states “better quality train tracks would allow faster speeds and greater axle loads; clear the way for longer trains and double stacked containers; make it possible to reduce the steepness of grades, straighten lines and remove loops; and allow for the elimination of many level crossings." 1
“Track straightening on the Queensland north coast line had led to faster and heavier freight trains with more freight on their tracks than we have here. The track upgrades plus tilt trains has given a huge improvement to passenger rail services. Why not in NSW?” she asked.
“There is also the potential for rail upgrades to share road corridors. Particularly where major road works for the Pacific Highway are being undertaken. Integrated planning would maximise the opportunities created as infrastructure is constructed. The new Pacific Highway construction between Moorland and Heron’s Creek and Kempsey and Eungai could have doubled as a rail corridor. We are losing opportunities to solve long-term problems because of decades of buck passing between State and Federal Governments and the lack of vision and leadership from our politicians. The Greens have both vision and leadership,” Ms Russell said.
1.
House of Representatives Inquiry http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/trs/networks/report/chapter4.pdf