Important Info
Documents that have been submitted by BAG, Replies and other important Research Reports
Key Documents on the Current Katoomba to Lithgow Proposal
Click the titles below and get taken to their place on the page and from there, when you click on the underlined text a new window will open with the document fully there. You can download it if you want
BAG Update Monday 25 November 2019
Central West Transport Needs Study 2009
Letter from the former NSW Deputy Premier prohibiting trucks in excess of 19 meters throught the Blue Mountains
Experts Infrastructure and Logistics review
NSW Freight and Ports Plan 2018-2023
"Green Light for $2.5 billion Great Western Highway Duplication"
NSW Govt GWHighway Upgrade Program Overview & Strategic Corridor
FAQS November 2019
RDA Central West Freight Study 2014
1. BLACKHEATH HIGHWAY ACTION GROUP (BAG) UPDATE
– MONDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2019
Katoomba to Lithgow – Proposed Great Western Highway Duplication (‘the project’)
THE FACTS we know so far …
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Estimated total project cost - $4.5 billion
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Funding announced - $2.5 billion
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Construction timeframe - to be completed by 2029
“Ultimately, this will bring the road up to the standard of other major highways, like the upgraded Pacific and Hume highways, and separate highway traffic from local traffic.”
To be constructed to Performance Based Standard Vehicles up to30m (B-double standard), signed posted speed 80km in upper Blue Mountains and 100km in Hartley Valley.
RMS admitted no up-to-date traffic study done but
“The population in the Central West region is expected to grow by around eight per cent over the next 20 years, with the total number of vehicles travelling along the highway west of Katoomba expected to increase by at least 1.5 per cent each year,”
Mr Toole said.
Despite the RMS insisting the community respond by Monday 16 December 2019, essential survey work, technical studies and environmental assessments still need to be undertaken. And the strategic business case not completed.
Summary of the project per RMS4
Section Katoomba to Medlow Bath
Alignment/Corridor Existing
Planning complete? No
Funded Yes, part of $2.5 billion
Construction timeframe Start by March 2023
Property Acquisition No
Section Medlow Bath
Alignment/Corridor Existing
Planning complete? No
Funded Yes, part of $2.5 billion
Construction timeframe Start by March 2023
Property Acquisition Not at this stage
Notes 5 lanes on existing alignment between railway line and Hydro Majestic, 60km speed zone
Section Medlow Bath to Blackheath
Alignment/Corridor Existing
Planning complete? No
Funded Yes, part of $2.5 billion
Construction timeframe Start by March 2023
Property Acquisition No
Section Mount Boyce Weighbridge to Soldiers Pinch
Alignment/Corridor Existing
Planning complete? No
Funded Yes, part of $2.5 billion
Construction timeframe Start by March 2023
Property Acquisition Unsure
Section Hartley Valley (Lolly Shop) to South Bowenfels
Alignment/Corridor New
Planning complete? Yes
Funded Yes, part of $2.5 billion
Construction timeframe Start by March 2023
Property Acquisition Yes, already started
Section Mount Victoria bypass, Soldiers Pinch to Hartley Valley (Lolly Shop)
Alignment/Corridor New
Planning complete? Yes
Funded No, but estimated to cost in excess of $1 billion not including connection to Darling Causeway
Construction timeframe Completed by November 2029
Property Acquisition Yes, already started
Section Blackheath
Alignment/Corridor New
Planning complete? No
Funded No,
Construction timeframe Completed by November 2029
Property Acquisition Possible
BAG Response
This project is being driven by the need to open up the Great Western Highway to Performance Based Standard Vehicles up to30m (B-double standard). There is a current ban on B-doubles larger than 19m on the Great Western Highway across the Blue Mountains.
However where is the consideration of freight on rail as an alternative?
Transport for NSW has not provided any data to compare the safety and efficiency of rail freight verse road transport on the Blue Mountains corridor. There has been no cost benefit analysis of the proposed investment by the State Government into this project to support the road transport industry compared to making similar investments on the Blue Mountains line to improve rail freight efficiency.
According to the NRMA “the Great Western Highway link between Sydney and the Blue Mountains unsuitable for B-double upgrading”.
The proposed duplication claims to reduce travel time between Lithgow and Katoomba by 10 minutes. However the Proposed 10 minute time ‘saving’ is lost when more traffic lights are added to deal with safety, e.g. Peninsula Road, Tablelands Road, and Lithgow Hospital.
Further, serious safety concerns about road transport continue. There has been “an increase in fatalities and serious injuries involving heavy vehicles since 2017.” “Heavy trucks were the ‘key vehicle’ in 39% of fatal crashes in 2015 to 2017 and 59% of serious injury crashes from 2014/15 to 2016/17” according to the NSW Freight and Ports Plan 2018.
In 2012/13 road transport accounted for around 85% of greenhouse gas emissions arising from transport within NSW.
Further, by 2033 there will need to be another route across the Blue Mountains because the traffic and congestion on the highway in the lower Blue Mountains, coupled with the increased number of trucks, and increased traffic from the new Western Sydney airport.
At the Blackheath town meeting on Thursday 21 November 2019 BAG was unanimously endorsed to:
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“lock in a broad alliance to develop a ‘climate smart’ transport infrastructure plan across the Blue Mountains.
This plan will - -
safely deal with the movement of freight to Sydney and ports;
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improve road safety and rail access for residents and visitors;
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protect local communities and environments;
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and support the NSW Central West.
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“fight for residents and businesses impacted by possible RMS compulsory property acquisition.
Our Priorities
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Seek extension to current 16 December 2019 deadline for submissions to RMS on the project
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Force the State Government to remove the Western side Blackheath from the strategic corridor area
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Get supporters to email and phone politicians (MP, see below)
2. Letter from the former NSW Deputy Premier prohibiting trucks in excess of 19 meters throught the Blue Mountains
Letter from Andrew Stoner MP (22-2-11)
– Letter from former NSW deputy Premier Andrew Stoner (then leader of NSW Nationals and Shadow Minister for Roads) in support of reviewing the proposed highway upgrades west of Katoomba and prohibiting B Double trucks in excess of 19 metres through the Blue Mountains.
3. RMS Publicity flyer
Transport NSW Great Western Highway Upgrade Program - Community Update November 2019
4. Experts Infrastructure and Logistics review
Independent Review of Great Western Highway Upgrades West of Katoomba – Evans and Peck, January 2012 (4.2 MB)
5. NSW Freight and Ports Plan 2018-2023
6. "Green Light for $2.5 billion Great Western Highway Duplication"
7. NSW Govt GWHighway Upgrade Program Overview & Strategic Corridor
FAQS November 2019
8. RDA Central West Freight Study 2014
Government Proposals / Reviews / Surveys / Updates - GWH Duplication
Transport for NSW statement on GWH Upgrade Through Blackheath 21 November 2019:
191121 Great Western Highway upgrade through Blackheath
Great Western Highway Upgrade Program - Community Update November 2019
Great Western Highway Upgrade Program Overview & Strategic Corridor - FAQS November 2019
Great Western Highway Katoomba-Mt Victoria Preferred Treatments Report - November 2014
Independent Review of Great Western Highway Upgrades West of Katoomba – Evans and Peck, 2012 (commissioned by NSW Government)
Click here for links to further RMS Project Documents
Government Proposals / Reviews / Studies - General
NSW Freight and Ports Plan 2018-2023
Australia Infrastructure Australia Plan 2016
Transport for NSW, Containerised Cargo Demand Assessment Central West NSW, September 2015
Central West Regional Transport Plan 2013
Central West Transport Needs Study 2009
NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan Dec 2012
Bells Line of Road Long Term Strategic Plan Complete Report 2012
Regional Development Australia - Central West Inland Rail Report 2016
Regional Development Australia - Central West Freight Study 2014