Improving regional and interstate links
Transport for NSW is planning a future freight rail link between Fassifern and Hexham to bypass Newcastle urban area. Planning for this vital transport link will identify a Lower Hunter Freight Corridor which will provide for a future dedicated freight rail line.
Currently, freight rail and passenger rail services share the rail network through Newcastle. A dedicated freight rail line will provide for the efficient movement of goods to keep our economy growing as well as allowing growth in passenger rail services.
The Lower Hunter Freight Corridor will provide for future alleviation of pressure on the rail network by allowing additional freight capacity which will help reduce freight services through Newcastle. This will improve amenity for local communities, and enable both freight and passenger rail capacity to grow. A dedicated freight rail line will also encourage road freight onto rail to reduce road congestion, and reduce delays for road users at level crossings near St James Road, Adamstown and Clyde Street, Islington.
Online Community Information Session
Answers to questions raised during our online consultation can be are located under the FAQ tab.
Key benefits
When built the Lower Hunter Freight Corridor would:
- Provide essential rail capacity for passenger and freight train growth across the broader rail network.
- Increase the efficiency and reliability of the rail network by separating the majority of freight and passenger rail services on the congested area between Fassifern and Newcastle.
- Enhance urban amenity and liveability in the Newcastle region by removing most of the freight trains from within the urban area and at the Adamstown and Islington level crossings.
Aboriginal Engagement
Transport for NSW have worked together with Biraban, Mindaribba and Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Councils, the Saretta Art & Design Project Team with Professor John Maynard and Pambalong knowledge keepers to develop an interactive Story Map outlining the Aboriginal Cultural Values within the Lower Hunter Freight Corridor footprint on country that travels across the lands of the Awabakal and Wonnarua people.
To view Yarns Parai – Stories on Country Click here
Image Credit: Saretta Fielding, Yarns Parai
What does this mean for me?
Establishing long term strategic freight corridors is essential for increasing capacity to meet future demand which will provide greater separation of freight and passenger movements on the rail network and improve the rail service reliability.
Identifying a corridor now will ensure that land is available to deliver the transport infrastructure in the future, when it is needed.
There is no need for Transport for NSW to acquire land until close to the time the transport infrastructure is required, which may be many years away. In the meantime landowners can continue to live on and use their land.
Image credit: Hunter Valley Coal Supply Chain; Coal Train; East Maitland; NR Class locomotive
Next steps
Currently we are reviewing all the feedback received during consultation. We are planning to release a consultation report, and we will advise the community when this is available.