Railway_Digest__February_2018

News
First Canberra light rail vehicle arrives
The first vehicle for the ACT light rail network arrived in Canberra
under police escort at 2am on Wednesday 14 December 2017 following
an overnight road journey from Port Kembla to the ACT light rail
maintenance facility in suburban Mitchell.
Built in Spain by CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles),
the light rail vehicle (LRV) travelled from Spain to Australia aboard the
68,000 tonne vehicle carrier Hoegh Berlin.
The December arrival is the first of 14 LRVs to be used on the Capital
metro network. Each vehicle is 33 metres long with a capacity for 207
passengers – 66 seated and 141 standing. Storage space for four bikes is
also provided.
Australian Capital Territory
Media was on hand to record the arrival, with video shared on the
Transport Canberra website.
However, soon after arrival the vehicle was vandalised in a graffiti
attack, which Canberra Metro chief executive Glenn Stockton described as
disappointing. “Of greater concern is that members of the community
have accessed a live construction site, which puts them and others at
risk,” he said.
The graffiti was removed on Thursday 15 December at “modest cost”
to Canberra Metro.
As a result of the vandal attack additional security has been installed
at the Mitchell facility including CCTV cameras and double fencing.
One of the new light rail
vehicles manufactured by
CAF seen on a transporter
at Marulan enroute to
Canberra on the evening of
Tuesday 12 December 2017.
Russell Bryant
News
New South Wales
NSW Draft Freight and Ports Plan released
The NSW Government is seeking industry feedback on a draft plan that
identifies key freight priorities to deliver a more efficient freight system
across NSW.
The NSW Draft Freight and Ports Plan contains actions and future
directions by Government and industry to move goods in an efficient,
safe and environmentally sustainable manner.
The plan identifies six priority areas;
• Strengthening freight industry and government partnerships,
• Increase access for freight across the road and rail network,
• Protect existing freight precincts and ensure sufficient future land
use,
• Facilitate introduction of technologies that reduce freight costs
and impacts,
• Reduce the regulatory burden on industry; and
• Ensure safe, efficient and sustainable freight access to places.
NSW Roads, Maritime and Freight Minister Melinda Pavey said the
freight industry plays a vital role in the movement of $200 billion a year
in goods across the state. “Our major commercial ports at Port Botany,
Port Kembla and Newcastle are managing increasing volumes of imported
and exported goods, requiring faster, more efficient road and rail access
with our Sydney and regional NSW markets”.
The percentage of container freight moved by rail has increased from
14 per cent to 21 per cent.
“We need a strong plan to ensure that our farmers, miners and
industries can respond to all opportunities, delivering successful outcomes
for the NSW economy and local communities”, Mrs Pavey said.
The draft Plan has been released to encourage feedback from industry,
local government and members of the community to develop the Final
Plan. The Plan, when finalised, will guide future developments for the
freight sector, acknowledging the opportunities and challenges as a result
of issues such as technology advancements and increased urbanisation.
The Final Plan will outline the NSW Government’s priorities and
actions, and will include firm targets and key performance measures
developed in consultation with the community.
The Plan is available at future.transport.nsw.gov.au
Feedback and formal submissions are encouraged until 25 March.
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