Illawarra First Executive Director, Chris Lamont, said that the primary recommendation of the report is the construction of a new rail link referred to as the South West Illawarra Rail Link (SWIRL), connecting the region to south west Sydney.  SWIRL will accommodate both freight and passengers, providing a direct and efficient rail link to the fastest growing economy in Australia, Western Sydney.

The report completed by the SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong, examined a range of measures to improve speed and reliability of rail connectivity between the Illawarra and Sydney and identifies the importance and benefits of constructing the SWIRL and upgrading the South Coast Line. 

The SWIRL would provide a critical passenger and freight service, creating a vital rail transport connection.  The report proposes an electrified dual-track line between Maldon (near Picton) and the South Coast Line (near Unanderra). The two major bridges and the 4 km tunnel near Dombarton would be single track.  The estimated cost to construct the SWIRL is $1.7 billion delivering a benefit-cost ratio of 1.13 using a 7% discount rate over 50 years and a 1.56 benefit-cost ration using a 4% discount rate.

“It’s time to start building the infrastructure required to accommodate the growing economy and population of the Illawarra.  Improved rail connectivity between the Illawarra and Sydney will deliver major benefits to Sydney, the Illawarra and New South Wales,” said Chris Lamont. 

“The economic impact of completing the SWIRL is estimated to deliver an additional $2.6 billion in Gross Regional Product.  This is a conservative estimate and doesn’t factor in the enormous potential of linking the Illawarra region to Badgerys Creek airport,” said Chris Lamont.

The report’s main author Joe Branigan said the South Coast Line is slow and congested with passenger and freight trains competing for scarce slots on ageing infrastructure.  We need better rail infrastructure that can better service  Wollongong, Port Kembla and the Shoalhaven.

A key recommendation in the report is that the NSW Government submits an application to the Australian Government under the recently announced National Rail Program to develop a business case for the construction of the SWIRL and upgrades to the existing South Coast Line. 

“The Australian Government in the $10 billion National Rail Program has identified Sydney to Wollongong as a strategic rail corridor and indicated it is interested in receiving proposals for improvements in rail services between cities and surrounding regional areas.

Some $20 million is available for the development of up to three business cases under the National Rail Program and we are recommending the NSW Government submit a proposal under this program to progress the construction of the SWIRL and upgrades to the South Coast Line,” said Chris Lamont.

“The ageing South Coast Line is an impediment to employment and productivity. Investment in improved rail connectivity is essential for the continued economic development of the Illawarra,” said Chris Lamont.
A summary of the key findings of the report are shown below.