NSW Ports supports new research released today by the Illawarra Business Chamber recommending construction of the game-changing South West Illawarra Rail Link (SWIRL) by 2036. The report recommends that Transport for NSW commence planning ASAP, and that Infrastructure Australia updates its priority list to acknowledge SWIRL as a future ‘alternative rail alignment to the Port’.
CEO Marika Calfas says, “Ensuring that the right infrastructure is in place to efficiently cater for NSW's growing trade needs is crucial to the economic growth and productivity of the State. SWIRL is critical to the efficient movement of freight to and from Port Kembla. It will provide enhanced, direct rail connectivity between Port Kembla and the growing regions of Western and South West Sydney and reduce the growth in trucks on the road network. This report highlights the cost of freight rail constraints, which by 2041 will cost the regional economy $230 million annually”.
View the full media release here.
Report: A summary is available here and the complete report available on request.