[NSW] Airport Line 1994 EIS

["geoffrah" <geoffrah@nospamhotmail.com>]

With all the fuss about the Airport Link it was interesting to view the
orginal 1994 EIS for the project. The justification for the project in the
EIS ;

    "relief to congestion between Sydneham & Erskineville allowing deferral
of Sydenham 6 tracks project at a saving of $65 million (1991),
Provision of frequent airport service during peak periods whilst serving the
MAIN COMMUTER MARKET (my emphasis),avoiding the need to purchase specialised
rolling stock , and provision of a direct link between Sydney Airport and
Badgerys Creek Airport"

The overall emphasis of the EIS was that the Airport Link was always about
serving the exisiting commuter market (going past the Airport was just a
bonus). There was also a strong desire to link up Sydney Airport
with Badgerys Creek Airport(the on again off again second airport !).
The East Hills Line was the obvious way to link the two airports.

This was all in black and white in 1994 - so why all the fuss in 2000 ?