Private sector approach for Maldon Dombarton freight link 

The NSW Government has let slip it will approach the private sector to build the long awaited Maldon Dombarton freight rail link by seeking registrations of interest next month.

Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay answered media queries about the link whilst attending the sod turning for a new $75 million grain handling facility at Port Kembla last week.

NSW Port Authority Chairman Nick Whitlam had previously publicly indicated a private consortium of Port Kembla users may be interesting in building the line, paid for by a toll.

Maldon Dombarton is a 34.9km rail-line which would provide a new route between Port Kembla to broader NSW coal districts and grain producers, as well as direct freight access to western Sydney.

Construction on the line began in 1983 under the Wran government, but was stopped by the Greiner government in 1998, leaving parts of the line, including a partially built bridge over Cordeaux River, incomplete.

NSW Ports has welcomed the State Government interest in the rail link.

“We see construction of the Maldon Dombarton rail link as crucial for the region,” said NSW Ports Commercial Executive General Manager Dom Figliomeni said.

“It’s not just about supporting the expansion of Port Kembla Port but to also service the freight needs of the broader state to the Illawarra and to relieve the region’s passenger line and road networks of some conflicting usage.

“We welcome the ROI process to determine the private sector’s appetite to support delivery of this project.”

Minister Gay said he approved NSW Freight and Regional Development to release a Registration of Interest process to gauge private sector interest in the potential to construct, operate and maintain the rail link.

He expected full details to be released through the government’s eTendering website by the end of September.