THE Australian Logistics Council has welcomed Infrastructure Australia’s confirmation that the Port Botany Rail Line Duplication and Cabramatta Passing Loop project is being included on the Infrastructure Priority List.
“ALC has been a longstanding advocate for duplication of this critical freight rail line, which is needed to support the vital role that Port Botany plays as a gateway for Australia’s international and domestic trade,” said ALC CEO Kirk Coningham.
“ALC hopes governments will now work with industry to expedite the delivery of this priority project, to strengthen the efficiency of our supply chains and help provide economic stimulus in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The duplication of the rail line and the construction of the Cabramatta Passing Loop are central to industry’s efforts to accommodate growing freight volumes at Port Botany, enhance the reliability of the freight network and help to alleviate road congestion.
Completing the duplication of the remaining 2.9-kilometre single track section of the Botany Line between Mascot and Botany and constructing a new passing loop on the Southern Sydney Freight Line at Cabramatta will boost the capacity of the network by allowing freight trains up to 1300 metres in length to pass each other.
“This project builds on work already undertaken to enhance rail infrastructure at Port Botany, including the $75m Port Botany Rail Line Upgrade that was recently completed,” Mr Coningham said.
“Currently, around 440,000 TEU each year move to and from Port Botany via rail, and NSW Ports is committed to a long-term strategy to move three million TEU by rail.”
“The delivery of the Port Botany Rail Line Duplication project will encourage freight owners to transport more containers by rail and will build on significant investments NSW Ports is already making to increase port-side rail capacity.”
Rail will play an increasingly important role in meeting Sydney’s growing freight task, thanks to an expanding network of intermodal facilities, including the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal and the Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre, Mr Coningham said.
“IA’s endorsement of the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) business case for the Port Botany Rail Line Duplication is welcome confirmation of the contribution it will make to enhancing the productivity and resilience of the supply chain, and the multitude of environmental, safety and consumer benefits that will flow from completing the project.”
