Minutes of the LRTC Meeting 4th November 2017 at Wollongong

LACHLAN REGIONAL TRANSPORT COMMITTEE

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held in Wollongong at the Australian Industry World Saturday 4th November 2017

Chairman Dom Figliomeni opened the meeting and welcomed everyone to the meeting. The welcomed by the host was presented at the AGM.

ATTENDANCE: As per attendance sheet Total 14

APOLOGIES: Ian Gray, Noelene Milliken, Mayor Ingram, Pascale Stendell, Lawrance Ryan, Craig Bembrick, Mayor Bill West, Adem Long, Annie Chatfield, Warwick Erwin, Max Duffey. Eddie Wilkinson. Bede Ryan and Ann Sudmalis Total 14 MOVED: Ray Morris SECONDED: Ken McGrath CARRIED

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: Held at Parkes in August 5 th 2017 be accepted as read MOVED: Ray Morris SECONDED: Ken McGrath CARRIED.

BUSINESS ARISING: Letter to ARTC has been sent. Phillip stated 1.that 60ks/Mt rail will be used in the new construction was confirmed 2. The section towards Beaudesert will be left as a PPP 3. The Queensland section will be duel gauge 4. If it is to be built build it to a decent standard. Also the turning circle maybe reduced and wheel squeal may be a concern and invite a representative from ARTC for the next meeting. The support for the Wollongong Transport Coalition has been done. The Federal Government received 126 submissions for that and only 5 submission mentioned Maldon Dombarton to be finished March next year.

SECRETARYS REPORT: No Report

CORRESPONDENCE IN:
Liberal Paper re: The entire new XPT fleet will be serviced in regional NSW.
Reply from Kevin Anderson
Invite to the “Trax To The Future” Symposium
Report from Philip Laird
Report from Annie Chatfield which appeared in the Wollongong paper

CORRESPONDENCE OUT:

Letter to Mr Fullerton ARTC. John Barilaro Minister for Regional NSW Anthony Roberts Minister for Planning Andrew Constance Minister for Transport and Infrastructure MOVED: John Faulks SECONDED: Ray Morris CARRIED.

Chairman Dom Invited Arthur Rorris South Coast Labor Council to speak on the capacity of the Sydney and South Coast Rail but now is the time but there is no room to expand rail in the Wollongong area and the planners will have to look at the whole area that is South Coast, Wollongong, Wilton, and the new Air Port though to Sydney and to identify those projects to push for coming up to the next election.

TREASURERS REPORT: Presented by Dennis Hughes Opening Balance as at 1/8/17 $10980.24 Income $ 39.18 Expenses $ 200.00 Closing Balance as at 31/10/17 $ 10810.42 MOVED: Dennis Hughes SECONDED: Ken McGrath CARRIED.

REPORTS: Judith Hannon Wollondilly: 1. Networking with this group and all our member Councils which adds to the argument when reporting to interviews. 2. The Rail symposium is more about the bottle neck as you come down into the Sydney area from the Maldon – Dombarton area. 3. The Greater Sydney Commission has the whole of Sydney put into areas and 1 of those areas is the Western Sydney, this tells us were the green areas are and how many houses are going to be there. The Government is changing the city into 3 different cities Eastern City (CBD) Parramatta and Western Sydney which is based around Badgerys Creek Air Port. The Federal and State Governments are involved with 8 Councils called the City Deal which involves a north – south rail. There are 3 groups interested in high speed rail from Air Port down to Canberra to go through Wilton. Hoping to get the electrification down to the Illawarra which means that Wilton may be the rail acropolis. The 2056 draft paper is inviting comments MOVED: Phillip Laird That this committee acknowledged the draft but needs substantial revision to meet the changers that facing both Sydney and Regional areas of NSW. SECONDED: Judith Hannan CARRIED.

John Horton Hilltops: Formerly Mayor of Harden now a councillor on Hilltops which merged with Boorowa and Young with some 20000 people and an area of 7140 sq. ks . Hilltops would be happy to a letter of support for the Symposium and have spent $9 million on a new grain terminal at Cunningar. Hilltops will become a tourist destination as they have joined with a number of Councils and Canberra to attract a higher number of tourists.

WEDDIN: Stephen O’Byrne: Investigating with Temora Road Train access to the Shire. Road maintenance from flood damage. New public pool costing $4.8mil is opening today and building a new $9mil sewage works and medical centre to commence in the near future.

Lachlan Valley Rail: Ray Morris: Are getting a lot of support from the Cowra Council and the depot is attracting a large amount of tourist and with a number of grants the building and surrounds have been up graded. There is a full time guide to show people around. The Council is applying for funds to open 15 ks of line from Cowra to Woodstock at a cost of $250,000 for tourism. Council is also planning to upgrade a walking path around the prisoner of war camp. MOVED: Phillip Laird That we enquire of the were abouts of the $5mill cheque which was presented to Wendy Tuckerman for the Blayney to Demondrille line and that some of that money be available for the 15ks of line between Cowra and Woodstock NO SECONDED: Motion Lapsed

MOVED: Maurice Simpson we write to the Leader of the National Party John Barilaro asking what is the status of the $5mill now for the Blayney-Demondrille line. SECONDED: Stephen O’Byrne CARRIED.

Michael O’Leary: Face Book Rail Page

PARKES: Ken McGrath: A new Cobalt Nickle mine to open 80ks west of Parkes with a life of 20 years and will employ about 1000 people as this mine is in Lachlan Shire the company will make their base in Parkes. Pacific National to spend $35mil to build a hub in Parkes

Arthur Rorris: South Coast Labor Council: Stated that with groups like this is to provide a civic infrastructure for a rail lobby and to connect with other groups and integrate which are pushing for the same goal. The first fast rail will between the new Air Port and the Old Air Port and then Canberra and the new Air Port and also need a rail lobby.

GENERAL BUSINESS: Port Kembla outer harbour and West Connect. Can we approach Goulburn (Goulburn Rail Workshop, Round house restoration) follow up with Ian and others Council to re-join

Next Meeting: 17th February 2018 held at Wollondilly Council Chambers

Meeting Closed 12-11pm