Problems facing Brisbane-to-Melbourne rail-link (letter)

by Kevin O'Neill

News Weekly, May 26, 2007
Sir,

Whether the proposed Brisbane-Melbourne rail-link goes through Shepparton or albury should take into account the national aspects of the proposal.

I would have though that a fast rail-link joining the food bowl of Australia in the Murrumbidgee, Murray and Goulburn Valleys with the seaboard capitals would have been overwhelmingly in support of the Shepparton route.

The Cootamundra-Melbourne leg is in the foothills of the Dividing Range, whereas the flat plains between Caragabal and Mangalore are ideal railway country and very much in need of an appropriate rail service.

In addition, Albury and Wagga are located on the under-used Melbourne-Sydney route that carries about 10 per cent of the available rail freight.

If this available freight is increased, together with the proposed Melbourne-Brisbane freight, the increased services will attract rail curfews and defeat the on-time aspect of the whole proposal.

Double-stacked containers between Albury and Mangalore need clearance from road bridges, and the Bethungra spiral would be an expensive item.

Please don't give us another railway white elephant!

Kevin O'Neill,
Progressive Rail Association,
Tocumwal, NSW