The Federal Government will provide $400 million to duplicate the remaining single‑track section of Sydney’s Port Botany Rail Line. The funding will also deliver a passing loop at Cabramatta, allowing trains to pass.
Duplicating the Botany line will improve freight movement on Sydney’s rail network and encourage a shift in freight from road to rail – reducing traffic congestion in and around Sydney Airport and Port Botany.
Listed by Infrastructure Australia as a High Priority Initiative, this critical project will strengthen rail connection efficiency, improve freight transit times and increase service reliability for the Sydney region.
“This is a vital upgrade to ease pressure on Sydney’s transport system. It will enable freight to be moved faster and easier – allowing businesses to get goods to market faster – and it will ease traffic around the airport by taking more heavy vehicles off the road,” Prime MInister, Malcolm Turbull said.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation will deliver the project on behalf of the Australian Government. It will support about 150 jobs during construction.
The project will include new rail bridges, civil works and duplicated rail tracks across the 2.9km length of the freight line between Mascot and Botany, along with the construction of a 1.4km passing loop between Cabramatta and Warwick Farm.
The commitment will support the freight logistics and supply chain activities of existing intermodal terminals such as at Enfield and Chullora, as well as the new terminal under construction at Moorebank.
NSW Ports welcomed the confirmation of funding of the Port Botany Freight Line duplication.
NSW Ports CEO, Marika Calfas, said, “About 440,000 TEU each year travel by rail to and from Port Botany and this volume is growing. Completing the duplication of the Port Botany freight line will ensure reliability of freight rail access to Port Botany and resilience in the event of disruption on the single track.
“We have a target to move three million TEU by rail in the long term. The duplication of the freight line is essential to achieve this objective and will benefit Sydney with reduced volumes of trucks on roads around the Port.
“NSW Ports thanks the Federal and NSW State Government for their ongoing commitment to improving the efficiency of port supply chains which supports the residents and businesses of NSW.”
