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The network extending from Port Waratah at Newcastle to Werris Creek and Ulan via Muswellbrook covers a region that generates 36% of Australia's coal exports. While it carries passenger, intermodal and general freight services, the network is dominated by the high-volume, short-haul movements of the coal industry.
The ARTC said its primary objective is to reduce the overall cost of coal production and make it more competitive on world markets by providing a reliable, rapid and cost-effective transport system. Track access charges for transporting coal should be reduced by 20%.
Although details of the program will only be finalised after consultation with coal users, preliminary proposals include the elimination of bottlenecks (estimated to cost $66.6 million), track strengthening and remediation ($14.1 million) and bridge strengthening ($4.1 million).
The enhanced network will enable train speeds to be lifted from 60kmph to 80kmph and permit an axle load of 35t on the upgraded bridges.
Specific projects include $3.5 million to construct an additional arrival road and yard layout improvements at Kooragang, $25 million to separate coal trains from other rail traffic at Sandgate, $20 million to strengthen the track at Maitland-Whittingham, $20 million to ease congestion and improve train speeds on Minimbah Bank plus $6.5 million to upgrade junctions and yards between Whittingham and Newdell, $7.8 million to duplicate 6km of track between Drayton and Muswellbrook and $6 million for concrete re-sleepering between Sandgate and Maitland and Islington and Sandgate.
