Thirroul to Waterfall rail tunnel on the agenda under State Labor

State MP for Keira, Ryan Park

THE much-talked-about Thirroul to Waterfall tunnel will be one option under Labor’s $2.4 billion transport policy to improve the Wollongong-Sydney rail corridor.

Keira MP Ryan Park said the tunnel would be put to an expert rail panel for consideration should Labor win the March 23 state election.

Mr Park said as a more immediate solution Labor will consider straightening the track, improving the curvature and alignment along the northern suburbs rail route. He said the list of improvement options was based on Transport for NSW documents received by Labor under freedom of information requests.

Scrapping the proposed extension of the F6 Freeway through Sydney’s southern suburbs would partially fund Labor’s transport policy.

Heathcote Liberal MP, Lee Evans has slammed Labor’s Thirroul/Waterfall rail tunnel proposal. Mr Evans said Labor’s announcement does not clarify the effects building a tunnel would have on Helensburgh, Otford, Stanwell Park, Coalcliff, Scarborough and Coledale stations.

“These stations service the thousands of commuters who live along the escarpment and my commuters want more services – not less,” Mr Evans said.

“A Liberal National Government is committed to the (extension of the) F6 (motorway) and upgrading the rail network,”he said.

“Our region deserves both rail and road.”