Re: [Vic]Industry welcomes rail boost

["William Pearce" <ben_issacs@optusnet.com.au>]

    Fellow Travellers,
    All very nice, but still no sign of any rail connection to Webb Dock,
the Govt. is always babbling about how Melbourne has a great port system,
compared with other ports this claim is just laughable when one considers
the lousy rail access to the docks.

Regards,

Bill.

"James C." <james_ccj@optusnetdotcomdotau> wrote in message
3b08c73d$0$25478$7f31c96c@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au">news:3b08c73d$0$25478$7f31c96c@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au...
> http://www.theage.com.au/business/2001/05/21/FFX555YOXMC.html
> Industry welcomes rail boost
>
> By JOHN ROUW
> Monday 21 May 2001
>
> Rail and ports development got a boost in last week's state budget with
the
> government pledging $96 million towards the long-called-for
standardisation
> of the state rail network.
>
> The government has allocated $96 million over five years towards the
> expected $140 million cost of converting an extra 50 per cent of the
> freight-rail network to standard gauge.
>
> The allocation represents a more than doubling of previous budgeted
> commitments to the project, which the government said would generate 700
> jobs, mainly in rural areas.
>
> Transport Minister Peter Batchelor repeated a call for financial support
for
> the initiative from the Federal Government, while budget papers stated
that,
> to be fully realised, the plan required Commonwealth and private sector
> support.
>
> The budget boost for standard gauge - the major grade in New South Wales
and
> the one used for the Perth-Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane national rail
> corridor - follows the completion of a feasibility study.
>
> The government said the study found that increasing the proportion of
> Victoria's rail network that is standard gauge from 29 per cent to around
70
> per cent would deliver "significant net benefits by way of reduced freight
> costs, increased efficiency, reduced road costs and greater inter-port
> competition".
>
> Victoria's existing standard gauge, or 1.435 metre-wide network, feeds
into
> the port of Portland in Victoria's south-west. Ms Broad said a key
priority
> under the government's Regional Freight Links program was the provision of
a
> standardised link between Mildura and Portland in partnership with the
> private sector.
>
> "This would secure the development of the mineral-sands industry in
> Victoria's north-west by providing efficient freight links to the Port of
> Portland," the government said, referring to an issue that has been under
> discussion for a number of years.
>
> According to budget papers, in 2001-02 the government plans to spend $10
> million on the conversion from broad gauge - a legacy of decisions by 19th
> century Victorian colonists which contributed to Australia getting three
> incompatible rail gauges - drifting up to $26million in 2004-05.
>
> The government has also budgeted $30 million over three years towards the
> previously announced Wodonga rail bypass, with the government looking for
> $20 million to be provided by the Commonwealth Government in tomorrow's
> federal budget and $7 million from the private sector.
>
> The project involves relocating the rail line from Wodonga's central
> business district to a route parallel with the Hume Freeway.
>
> Ms Broad was quoted as saying "it is anticipated that $10 million ... will
> be recouped from land sales on existing rail reserves".
>
> The government said it had also allocated $800,000 for automating sewerage
> and waste water connections at Station Pier over the next year.The
Victorian
> Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry last week said that overall
the
> state budget was "welcomed on preliminary assessment as a fiscally
> responsible blueprint", including the pursuit of surpluses over coming
years
> and the halving in debt levels by 2005.
>
> Noting outlays on transport initiatives, VECCI acting chief executive Neil
> Coulson said: "This infrastructure spending on important projects is very
> much needed and is welcomed by VECCI. It will provide a welcome economic
> boost at a time when the economy is slowing."
>
> But Mr Coulson said: "There are a number of infrastructure projects which
> need to be started in Victoria which are not mentioned in this budget -
for
> example, channel deepening at the Port of Melbourne."
>
> VECCI will be looking for the State Government to deal with those as early
> as practicable and maximise private sector investment.
>
> Coalition shadow Treasurer Louise Asher said that while there were
> significant announcements for capital works in the budget "it is highly
> unlikely, given the indecision of the Bracks Government, that we will see
> the completion of these projects, or at least of the larger ones, in this
> term of government".
>
>
>
>