City Freight Rail Bypass

Newcastle Herald

Friday December 26, 2008

LEADER

THE best solution to congestion at Adamstown railway level crossing may not be the obvious ones that spring to mind. A government study last year found the gates closed for more than six hours in a 24-hour period, confirming what Newastle residents already knew: the gates are a dangerous nuisance.

At first glance it might seem that the way to fix the problem would be to build some form of traffic overpass or underpass. This would be very expensive, however, and would involve dislocation of houses and property as well as producing what might well be an eyesore.

The member for Newcastle, Jodi McKay, favours an indirect solution which appears to have many advantages.

By removing freight trains from the section of line, the gates would typically be closed for only about two hours a day. This result could be achieved by building a freight rail bypass west of Newcastle.

Such a bypass is a high priority for many reasons unrelated to the convenience of city motorists. A freight rail bypass could speed up freight movements and increase capacity, especially for coal from developing Central Coast mines to the Port of Newcastle. A bypass could also be the catalyst for a proposed freight hub, enabling the rationalisation of freight movements and creating jobs in the Hunter Region.

The beneficial side effects of this investment in industrial and commercial capacity are obvious. With freight trains removed from city rail lines some noise and vibration problems in residential areas would be reduced. Fewer passenger trains would be delayed by the regular freight train breakdowns that plague the system and it might be possible to run faster and better passenger timetables.

Finally, the impact on traffic delays at level crossings especially at Adamstown would be very significant.

A number of alternative routes have been suggested for a Newcastle freight bypass, each with their own advantages and drawbacks. The major benefit each has in common is the productivity improvement available to industry and commerce. For governments keen to maximise royalties and other income from freight movements and exports, this argument should be enough to justify the investment.

The social benefits, including the relief of traffic congestion in urban Newcastle, ought to put the issue beyond doubt.

Belmont wetlands

THE announcement of a plan of management for Belmont Wetlands State Park is good news. A magnificent natural asset with enormous recreational potential, the 525-hectare site has suffered greatly over the years from sandmining, firebugs, rubbish dumping and unregulated "bush-bashing" by four-wheel-drives and trail-bikes. With its link to the Fernleigh track, its important areas of forest, wetland and heath and its proximity to Nine Mile Beach, the park has all the ingredients to become one of the recreational treasures of the Lower Hunter. The NSW Government is to be commended for taking an important first step to realise this vision.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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