For over 100 years the South Coast Line has been the backbone of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven economies, but without significant investment it will not meet passenger and freight demand which is expected to grow by 29% and 26% respectively by 2041.
Communities in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven have been calling for improvements for decades, with reliability, capacity and speed constrained by steep terrain and single track sections.
The Minns Labor Government's South Coast Rail Plan will deliver the rail infrastructure required to improve and increase services for the 7.6 million passengers who currently use it each year, and for the industry, tourism and jobs that the rail line supports.
Work already underway
The people of the South Coast and Illawarra have heard promises of upgrades many times before.
This plan consists of an immediate investment of $621 million, with work already underway to upgrade critical infrastructure ahead of electrification and duplication work beginning. This includes:
• Renewal and upgrade of power and signalling infrastructure.
• Upgrading drainage, culverts and raising sections of track to reduce flooding impacts.
• Strengthening embankments and stabilising slopes to prevent landslips and rockfalls between Waterfall and Wollongong.
•Work to better protect critical rail infrastructure from bushfire and extreme heat conditions.
This work which has been informed by the Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan promised at the last election, is expected to reduce delays, increase frequency and reliability of services and reduce journey times.
Electrification and duplication
This investment will deliver increased track capacity, improved reliability and reduce journey times for the T4 Illawarra and South Coast lines. Key elements include:
• Electrify the Kiama to Bomaderry line: this will facilitate the replacement of the ageing diesel trains with new electric trains, and allow a direct connection to Central, removing the need for passengers to interchange at Kiama.
• Installation of additional tracks and passing loops between Wollongong to Kiama: this section is predominantly single track which limits capacity and reliability. Additional tracks will allow increased capacity, more frequent services with regular stopping patterns.
• Removing South Coast bottlenecks: detailed planning work will address key issues including flat junctions, level crossings, and station and track locations.
• Installing quadruple tracks between Hurstville to Sutherland: this section currently has two tracks which are shared by passenger and freight services on the South Coast Line and the T4 Illawarra Line. Doubling capacity will separate these two lines leading to increased frequency, capacity and reliability.
Detailed planning works for electrification and duplication will commence in 2027 and confirm the final scope and cost of the upgrades, with construction expected to be complete by the mid to late 2030s.
Investment in the South Coast
The Minns Labor Government has a strong record of delivering essential infrastructure on the South Coast, without privatising public assets.
After more than a decade of neglect under the former Government, this government is upgrading schools, hospitals and delivering critical road and transport projects the region needs.
We're investing billions in major health infrastructure including upgrades to Shoalhaven Hospital, a new hospital for Shellharbour, a new Community Health Centre in Warrawong and upgrades at Wollongong Hospital.
The NSW Government is also delivering on our commitment to deliver Calderwood Public School and extend the Tripoli Way, a project neglected by the former government, which will ease congestion through Albion Park and Calderwood.
Major upgrades to Ulladulla High School and Milton Primary School are also ahead of schedule, and nine new fee-free public preschools are under construction.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
"We know that South Coast communities need faster, more frequent and more reliable trains which is why a re-elected NSW Labor Government will electrify and upgrade this train line through the largest investment in rail infrastructure in generations - all without privatising public assets.
"This isn't just about better trains for commuters. It's about backing local jobs, supporting industry and boosting tourism in the region.
"For too long, the Liberals only funded Sydney metros while regional communities missed out. We're changing that by investing in regional communities up and down the Illawarra and South Coast.
"The South Coast have heard promises before, but they can judge us on what we're delivering - new and upgraded schools that are being delivered ahead of schedule, Tripoli Way being delivered after decades of promises and the upgrade of Shoalhaven Hospital that is almost complete."
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"This is one of the biggest investments in South Coast rail since the steam trains first came down the line in the 1880s. The benefits of this will be felt from the Shoalhaven up to St George on the T4.
"If we don't duplicate key sections of track, there's no way to increase the capacity that this growing community will need.
"It's 25 years since electric services were extended to Kiama, it's now time to give the rest of those communities through to Bomaderry the same level of service as everyone else.
"While the transformational infrastructure is delivered, we're starting work immediately to fix the key issues that affect the line on a day-to-day basis."
Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast and Member for Keira Ryan Park said:
"This is a generational investment in one of the most critical and historically under-serviced lines in the State.
"Our region has been calling for more investment and better services for decades. A re-elected NSW Labor Government will deliver that, with $6.8 billion to completely transform the South Coast rail line.
"This investment will mean more reliable services, faster journeys, and increased capacity, delivering better transport for more than 7.6 million passengers every single year.
"The Liberals and Nationals failed to invest in this region for more than a decade. Labor is delivering the essential services our communities rely on, without privatisation."
Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:
"We're pleased to be delivering an investment of this size for passengers across the South Coast, ensuring they have a public transport network that is fit for purpose for generations to come.
"Communities have been calling for upgrades and improvements for decades, particularly electrification of the line from Kiama to Bomaderry. We have listened and are already getting on with essential infrastructure works.
"Not only will this investment see commuters receive the train network they deserve, but we're also backing local jobs and regional industries in the process.
"We want to make it easier for people to travel to work and education and access healthcare across the state. This commitment of $6.8 billion is a massive investment in the communities of the South Coast."
Member for South Coast Liza Buter said:
"This is an incredibly exciting announcement for the South Coast, delivering more frequent and reliable train services and finally allowing passengers to travel directly to Sydney without changing trains at Kiama.
"When I was elected, I made a commitment to fight for the infrastructure and essential services our community deserves. We are already seeing that commitment delivered through record investments in our hospitals, schools and roads, and now this extraordinary $6.8 billion commitment to transform our rail network.
"The South Coast has waited long enough. I make no apologies for continuing to fight for our fair share of investment, and I am incredibly proud that a re-elected Minns Labor Government is committed to delivering the modern, reliable rail network our community deserves."
Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney said:
"This will be absolutely game changing for our community, building the public transport our growing region needs to get commuters out of their cars and onto a faster, reliable and a more frequent rail service. It will also be a game changer for tourism.
"This region was promised so much for 12 years, with nothing but broken promises by the previous Liberal leadership and this is the significant investment we need as we grow. I am so proud to be part of a government committed to making sure our regions get the investment we need and gets us ready for the future."
