Important Info

Documents that have been submitted by BAG, Replies and other important Research Reports

Key Documents on the Current Katoomba to Lithgow Proposal

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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

RMS Publicity flyer

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 …

Estimated total project cost - $4.5 billion
Funding announced - $2.5 billion
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:

“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;
improve road safety and rail access for residents and visitors;
protect local communities and environments;
and support the NSW Central West.
“fight for residents and businesses impacted by possible RMS compulsory property acquisition.

Our Priorities

Seek extension to current 16 December 2019 deadline for submissions to RMS on the project
Force the State Government to remove the Western side Blackheath from the strategic corridor area
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