NSW Ports has announced it will work to increase trade links between Greater and Western Sydney and Port Kembla, and will support plans the City Deal to upgrade road and rail infrastructure.
The terminal operator said it will back the City Deal Prospectus, which will include funding for two significant road and rail infrastructure projects
As NSW’s port of growth, Port Kembla is an asset of national significance, critical to the future economic growth and development of NSW.
Importantly, the City Deal Prospectus includes funding for two significant road and rail infrastructure projects that will benefit the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region as well as Western Sydney through providing enhanced, direct connections to Port Kembla.
These include AUS $450 million ($316.5 million) for the Mount Ousley Interchange and Widening projects, combined with an upgrade of Picton Road to motorway standard, which will improve the safety, efficiency and productivity of the corridor and will improve access to and from Port Kembla for heavy vehicles.
It will also include $30 million to develop the business case for the South West Illawarra Rail Link (SWIRL); a joint passenger and freight line between the Illawarra and Greater Sydney regions. SWIRL aims to deliver a more direct rail freight route between Port Kembla and Western Sydney and will reduce reliance on the congested Illawarra Line.
These projects will support Port Kembla as the port of growth and will help facilitate its development as the next container terminal for NSW, once Port Botany nears capacity.
The Illawarra Shoalhaven City Deal Prospectus was launched by RDA Illawarra and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation and spans four local government areas – Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama & Shoalhaven.
