{"id":67105,"date":"2024-06-17T08:38:31","date_gmt":"2024-06-16T22:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railexpress.com.au\/?p=116598"},"modified":"2024-06-17T08:38:31","modified_gmt":"2024-06-16T22:38:31","slug":"nsw-government-commits-to-supporting-illawarra-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=67105","title":{"rendered":"NSW Government commits to supporting Illawarra line"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Image:\u5b64\u98de\u7684\u9e64\/stock.adobe.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The NSW Government<\/a> is developing a Rail Resilience Plan for the Illawarra, with funding set to be committed in the NSW Government’s budget released tomorrow.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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The 2024 to 2025 Budget will invest $10 million to begin the process of examining all rail infrastructure along the South Coast Line and develop options for upgrading sections of the line between Sydney and Wollongong.<\/p>\n

From February 2022 to May 2024, 285 train services have been cancelled and a further 509 disrupted on the South Coast line due to weather-related impacts<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 136-year-old line is acutely vulnerable to weather events and has a history of instability due to the geology and topography of the Illawarra escarpment, particularly between Waterfall, Thirroul, Wollongong and Port Kembla. The line contains steeper terrain, more winding track, and sees heavier rainfall than any other section of track on the Sydney Trains network.<\/p>\n

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen discussed the importance of this work.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have our work cut out for us. The South Coast Line may be picturesque, but it cuts through some of our state\u2019s most challenging terrain,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s imperative we act urgently to find strategic solutions to this line\u2019s problems, which the community has been copping for far too long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know work on this line will be expensive, difficult and lengthy, so the Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan will provide a path forward to ensure we make the most effective changes that deliver real results for passengers and freight operators.\u201d<\/p>\n

Extreme weather events over the last three years have made it clear bolstering the South Coast Line is vital and urgent. Most recently, storms in April 2024 caused a week of disruption for commuters, and hundreds of rail workers were on site around the clock to fix a large landslip at Coalcliff to restore services.<\/p>\n

Freight has also been heavily affected by the rail line closures, disrupting the state\u2019s supply chains and forcing many businesses to resort to road transport so essential goods, including steel, coal and grain, could keep moving in and out of the region.<\/p>\n

The Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan will:<\/p>\n