The Illawarra Business Chamber has used a submission to the NSW Government to flag its concerns about an apparent lack of provision for passenger rail services along the Maldon-Dombarton corridor to service the Wilton Growth Area.
The submission forms part of a process being run by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, which is seeking feedback on a draft Development Control Plan (DCP) to guide urban development in the Wilton Growth Area.
In its submission to the Department, the IBC has called for three critical revisions to the draft DCP:
- Make provisions for future passenger rail services through Wilton, via the proposed South West Illawarra Rail Link (SWIRL),
- Guarantee the preservation and integrity of the Maldon Dombarton rail corridor, protecting it against urban encroachment, and
- Acknowledge the need to upgrade Picton Road to motorway standard in the short-term.
“It is concerning that the draft DCP does not make provision for commuter stations along the Maldon Dombarton rail corridor, which would leave future residents of Wilton isolated from public transport, significantly exacerbate congestion and hamper economic growth,” said Adam Zarth, Executive Director of the Illawarra Business Chamber.
“It is also concerning that the Department has not outlined a schedule to deliver capacity improvements for Picton Road. Our recent road study found that in 2025 Picton Road will reach peak daily capacity, long before new developments at Wilton are complete and shortly before increased heavy vehicle traffic is diverted from the South Coast Line and freight movements are shifted to the road.”
“We have made clear in our submission that the draft DCPs planning arrangements do not address the interests of the residents of the Illawarra, or the future residents of Wilton, and that SWIRL and the full upgrade of Picton Road must be now actively considered,” said Mr Zarth.
