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TE2815
Minister for Railways
Joined: Mar 19, 2004
Last Visited: Nov 27, 2008
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Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 4:15 pm
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Previous old threads found in search:
Why have I listed these. To show that I tried search and there appears to have been nothing done recently.
I now attach some information taken from the Federal Senate Hansard on 28th May 2008 that cootanee pointed to in this thread.
| Quote: | Senator HUTCHINS—Thank you. The southern Sydney freight line website reports that construction is due to begin on the southern Sydney freight line during June-July 2008 with a total completion date of June 2009. Is this still the case? If not, can you advise us of the current anticipated timetable and any major problems that the project is experiencing?
Mr Marchant—The southern Sydney freight line is probably the most strategic inner modal investment that could be made for intermodal rail in Australia. It is probably the highest intermodal priority. The reason for that is that there are curfews to get in and out of Sydney to enable passenger priority for two and a half hours in the morning and two and a half hours in the afternoon. So you actually have five hours blocked out from any freight moving in and out of northern or southern Sydney. The southern Sydney freight line project is a project that we are constructing on the existing rail corridor which belongs to the state government through RailCorp. We are in that case not leasing that land. We have that land under licence from RailCorp so we do not actually take an equitable interest in the land. The development proposal around that requires for 36 kilometres now at an estimate of some $288 million. So our forecast for that project has moved up from $249 million to $288 million. We have in the last 12 months gone to the market—certainly in the last few months—for the construction and all the elements of the construction. We have just about concluded the evaluation of the tenders for the civil works and most of the bridgeworks and elements around that. We are presently going through a re-tendering process with regard to the earthworks on four different major sites in that area. We will conclude the earthworks assessment over the course of the next six weeks. From that we should be able to go to the board with a preliminary package in June and a final package to the board of directors in July, with preparations then to execute contracts for the commencement of construction. That process also involves a number of reporting backs under planning and environmental approvals from the New South Wales government. There are some 140 environmental conditions on the project. There is a range of reporting back with regard to amenity issues et cetera around the project.
The project is slightly delayed as we actually finish off the detailed design. Because we are under licence on New South Wales RailCorp’s track, the final detailed designs have to be approved by RailCorp because it is an asset on their land. Effectively, we are working through with RailCorp the final sign-off to the detailed designs. But, in doing that, I point out that the project is going to be critical to actually open up access to freight from southern New South Wales and from Victoria through to not only Chullora but to the port. A side project of actually finishing the southern Sydney freight line off, which will take through to August next year, is ARTC will take up the metropolitan freight lines in Sydney and totally separate freight movements from Port Botany in the south of Sydney from the urban passenger system in total. So there will not be any conflict between freight movements and urban passenger movements in Sydney. Effectively, that will actually liberate the issue of freight congestion and containment because of the limitations of moving through the urban passenger system.
Senator HUTCHINS—Mr Marchant, the line will come from Port Botany to Enfield?
Mr Marchant—The southern Sydney freight construction line goes from Chullora to Macarthur. There is an existing freight line, which is part of the urban passenger system, from Chullora to Botany. What we will do is take up the Chullora to Botany line and separate it from RailCorp and make it part of the non-urban system. We will manage and control it and the train control out of Junee. Effectively that will come under a separate management structure, totally separate from the urban passenger system. So the project itself is going to take slightly longer through to August next year. I expect that we will conclude both the planning and the other approvals during July and August. I expect preliminary work will start to commence in August in the sense of preliminary earthworks. It will then take us through to August next year to get to completion. Having said that, the project itself is going to obviously require a range of disciplines around the passenger systems in Sydney. We will be building disability lifts on every part of the passenger system which we effect on the freight line. So there will be disability lifts going to a range of stations in Sydney that do not exist now. In addition to that, there will be a range of amenity works done with regard to containing the atmosphere in and around the track. But the southern Sydney freight line is probably the most critical piece of intermodal rail to take place on the eastern seaboard over the next 12 months.
Senator HUTCHINS—So the containers that go into Macarthur can be put on rail to Port Botany and vice versa?
Mr Marchant—What it will do is open up the framework. Containers will be able to be moved much more freely in and out of the port and much more freely from Melbourne to Sydney and vice versa. They will not be held up by interacting with the urban passenger system. There is also another big benefit. It actually liberates about 100 urban passenger paths because they conflict with freight trains in the non-peak hours. So there is another benefit for the urban passenger system by separating the freight out. |
Therefore from that I get that:1. Preliminary work should be happening NOW;
2. The entire SSFL should be complete by August 2009;
3. The line frees up 100 passenger paths, he just forgot that after Macarthur, well we all know what happens then.
EDIT 14/9/2008: Title adjusted
EDIT 20/11/2008: Goods Line added to title
Last edited by TE2815 on Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:49 pm; edited 2 times in total
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KRviator
Moderator
Joined: Apr 23, 2005
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 1:15 am
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Am I the only one who thinks it's a bad idea to control movements on the SSFL from NCCS Junee?
I'm assuming there's going to be various crossovers and the like between the SSFL and the RailCorp Main South, so is the Main South A controller going to have to call the RailCorp RMC to ask if he can run a freighter around another? Seems a simpler idea to control all movements within the Metrop from the RMC. At least you're not waiting for old mate to answer the phone...
Trainee Driver, Pacific National
Comments made are strictly the opinion of the author and do not reflect the opinions of the ADF, Pacific National, Freight Australia or the Boy Scouts of Antartica.
My fotopic gallery: http://KRviator.fotopic.net |
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574M
White Guru
Joined: Mar 15, 2006
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 9:13 am
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Did you search for threads on passing lanes as well?
If memory serves me aright, I have replied to threads with a link to the plans for these "passing lanes"
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TE2815
Minister for Railways
Joined: Mar 19, 2004
Last Visited: Nov 27, 2008
Location: Under the newsdesk !
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:16 pm
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| KRviator wrote: | | Am I the only one who thinks it's a bad idea to control movements on the SSFL from NCCS Junee? |
NO, you are not. I would have considered that ARTC would, or could, have taken over Enfield Control Centre and run it all from there. Especially seeing as the signalling controls are all there now anyway, well most are. Then Enfield hands over to Junee at Macarthur.
| KRviator wrote: | | I'm assuming there's going to be various crossovers and the like between the SSFL and the RailCorp Main South, so is the Main South A controller going to have to call the RailCorp RMC to ask if he can run a freighter around another? Seems a simpler idea to control all movements within the Metrop from the RMC. At least you're not waiting for old mate to answer the phone... |
IIRC there are no crossover enroute, at least on original idea there wasn't.
| 574M wrote: | | Did you search for threads on passing lanes as well? |
NO I didn't as this thread was, or is, concentrating on the actual SSFL. While the passing lanes are a separate project although outcomes and objectives of both projects are connected.
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BDA
Chief Commissioner
Joined: Oct 17, 2003
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Location: Sydney
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:14 am
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The technology to run the metro goods roads from Junee is very easy to apply . Why would ARTC want another person a long way away at Enfield to have to ring and then drum the fingers .
You really don't want Rail Moron Corp people with their State Rail mentality and silly prejudices running SSFL , you want a one stop shop running the corridor in its entirety from Dynon to Botany via Chullora Jct .
I think we have to assume that there will be access to Campbelltown Station because Countrylink services will no doubt want to use SSFL where possible . Where they'll rejoin the Sydney Snail system who knows - maybe Glenfield or Leightonfield .
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cootanee
Train Controller
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:37 am
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| BDA wrote: | | I think we have to assume that there will be access to Campbelltown Station because Countrylink services will no doubt want to use SSFL where possible . Where they'll rejoin the Sydney Snail system who knows - maybe Glenfield or Leightonfield . |
No need to assume beacuse the approved plans cover them 
They indicate no interface at Campbelltown, also Railcorp required some proposed ones removed - north of Glenfield and south of Casula.
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5814
Station Master
Joined: Apr 23, 2008
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Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:12 am
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TE 2815 - your search didn't turn up the "Freight line on hold?" thread in the NSW forums, where I posted the news of the approval that, apparently, barely dared to speak its name. Still nothing on the ARTC site; Peter Garrett did put out a press release of sorts - mainly talking about plans for more carparking for the suffering people of Cabramatta! - see http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/garrett/2008/pubs/mr20080819a.pdf - although it's not listed on his site's press release index. You can find the actual notice, if you already know its's there, by going to http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/notices/ and looking under "recent approvals - last 90 days".
On a more hopeful note, the speech by Anthony Albanese to the ARA dinner last month presents the SSFL approval and funding as something to be actually proud of ... http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/speeches/2008/AS20_2008.htm
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TE2815
Minister for Railways
Joined: Mar 19, 2004
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Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 4:03 pm
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| BDA wrote: | | The technology to run the metro goods roads from Junee is very easy to apply . Why would ARTC want another person a long way away at Enfield to have to ring and then drum the fingers. |
I realise the technology is there and easily applied. The point is that RIC had/has already combined the Goods Line operations into one complex so why spend the extra to relocate this infrastructure when ARTC can then just staff the Enfield Centre, even relocate their (Central) Sydney offices from Market Street (IIRC) to rooms at the Enfield complex.
| BDA wrote: | | You really don't want Rail Moron Corp people with their State Rail mentality and silly prejudices running SSFL , you want a one stop shop running the corridor in its entirety from Dynon to Botany via Chullora Jct. |
No RailCorp staff. ARTC to takeover and staff Enfield as they did Junee and Broadmeadow (before moving it). Don't worry though will all be in Adelaide by 2012 
| 5814 wrote: | | TE 2815 - your search didn't turn up the "Freight line on hold?" thread in the NSW forums,<snip> |
Damn, search is your friend missed at least one then 
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arctic
Junior Train Controller
Joined: Apr 26, 2006
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 1:55 pm
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As noted above. We have two active threads on the SSFL. One here and one in NSW and good info in both. Will we keep both of them??
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Oldfart
Chief Commissioner
Joined: Jan 01, 2006
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Location: 21 miles from Griffiths Bros Teas
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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 10:24 am
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| arctic wrote: | | As noted above. We have two active threads on the SSFL. One here and one in NSW and good info in both. Will we keep both of them?? |
One for the mods, I guess.
Meanwhile the SSFL will probably proceed shortly, now that the NSW local government elections are out of the way.
In 'local news' I did see a gaggle of important looking dudes in orange vests and carrying clipboards perusing the Auburn Rd bridge area a couple of days ago on the way to work.
Re: Countrylink using the SSFL. Out of curiousity would they still be able to do a stop at Campbelltown and could they get to Strathfield via Chullora and Flemington goods lines? (and would freight operators want them to?)
A man of genius makes no mistakes; his errors become the portals of discovery (James Joyce).
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NathanCastle
Assistant Commissioner
Joined: Dec 11, 2007
Last Visited: Nov 24, 2008
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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 10:51 am
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So the SSFL Is a goer now.
Is ARTC working on plans for a NSFL to the likes Of Hornsby If not all the way to Broadmeadow (unlikely)
This proposed carbon trading scheme Is going to ruin the economy of Australia. "Dump It Now"
65 miles from Flinders Street Station Melbourne and 703 feet above sea level
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Oldfart
Chief Commissioner
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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 11:19 am
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| NathanCastle wrote: | So the SSFL Is a goer now.
Is ARTC working on plans for a NSFL to the likes Of Hornsby If not all the way to Broadmeadow (unlikely) |
Not by ARTC as I understand it. More knowledgeable people may correct me, but AFAIK ARTC's lease along that line includes only the bit of freight track south of North Strathfield and the tracks up the Hunter and north from Islington. All in between is NSW controlled.
The NSW State Plan shows "amplification" of the Strathfield to Hornsby section of line (probably means more quading in some places) planned for 2012. But with the current situation in NSW that seems optimistic. It is probably also less critical than the southern approaches to Sydney - less freight traffic and some quading already in existence from West Ryde to nearly Epping.
To the north I think ARTC's focus is on the coal lines and on improving the route to Brisbane (North Coast line) with more passing loops, track straightening, upgraded signaling and safeworking etc. Have heard of an interesting proposal to bypass the Dungog section of line by running a track up just to the west of Raymond Terrace to Stroud road (?).
A man of genius makes no mistakes; his errors become the portals of discovery (James Joyce).
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Pressman
Chief Commissioner
Joined: May 23, 2006
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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 3:03 pm
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| NathanCastle wrote: | So the SSFL Is a goer now.
Is ARTC working on plans for a NSFL to the likes Of Hornsby If not all the way to Broadmeadow (unlikely) |
If you read through the minutes of the Senate hearing (link is in the first post) there is quite a run through by Mr Marchant (ARTC) on the Syd-Brs, Victoria, SSFL, NSFL, Mel-Per, even touching on the Inland railway.
A long read, but an informative one
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cootanee
Train Controller
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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 4:09 pm
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| Pressman wrote: | | NathanCastle wrote: | So the SSFL Is a goer now.
Is ARTC working on plans for a NSFL to the likes Of Hornsby If not all the way to Broadmeadow (unlikely) |
If you read through the minutes of the Senate hearing (link is in the first post) there is quite a run through by Mr Marchant (ARTC) on the Syd-Brs, Victoria, SSFL, NSFL, Mel-Per, even touching on the Inland railway.
A long read, but an informative one |
There is a fair bit of stuff on public record such as this - just google what you after and add ARTC, federal, minister -whatever.
NSFL (for want of a better term) has been on the table for a while. The last I saw ARTC were driving the requirements/planning, Railcorp were to deliver it. Some Federal seed funding for planning was announced some years back. Both parties pledged funds in the last election. Depends if Labour honours its $840m pledge?
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Oldfart
Chief Commissioner
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Location: 21 miles from Griffiths Bros Teas
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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:11 pm
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Noticed what might be the first bit of 'works' for the SSFL. Fencing has been erected along the northern curb of Wellington Rd on its western approaches to the Auburn Rd bridge. It encloses the area that would need to be excavated for the SSFL underpass of the Bankstown line between Sefton and Birrong.
A man of genius makes no mistakes; his errors become the portals of discovery (James Joyce).
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