FREMANTLE Port Authority will be calling tenders this week for the construction of a new rail loop and rail terminal at North Fremantle.
FREMANTLE Port Authority will be calling tenders this week for the construction of a new rail loop and rail terminal at North Fremantle.
The construction is part of the State Government’s plan to shift an increased volume of port freight onto rail in order to cope with growing traffic pressure in and around Fremantle.
The volume of port freight carried by rail more than doubled last year to 18,500 20-foot-equivalent containers (teus).
“On the basis of what rail has carried this year, we can expect an annual figure of about 30,000 teus for 2004,” Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said.
The Government and Opposition have put vastly different interpretations on the significance of the move to rail freight.
Ms MacTiernan said the Government’s policy would reduce the impact of freight on surrounding communities.
The current amount of freight carried on rail would be equivalent to taking 100 container trucks off metropolitan roads each day.
“These figures demonstrate that the Government policy of shifting container traffic from road to rail is working, even before we introduce infrastructure improvements,” she said.
“Fewer heavy vehicles are working the port and community impacts are being contained.”
In contrast, Nationals transport spokesman Murray Criddle said the projected growth in activity at the port meant the amount of freight carried on the roads would still increase, even if the Government achieved its rail targets.
The Government aims to shift 30 per cent of container freight onto rail over the coming decade, up from 5 per cent presently and just 3 per cent 18 months ago.
Mr Criddle said this would result in eight train movements per day passing through the west end of Fremantle, close to tourism and residential developments.
When loaded, the 600-metre-long trains would be double-stacked with containers.
In addition, there would still be pressure on the existing road network.
Hence, the Nationals believe the Government should proceed with the contentious Fremantle Eastern Bypass, an option Ms MacTiernan has ruled out.
In order to facilitate the increase in rail freight, the Government is building a new dual gauge rail loop at North Fremantle and a rail terminal on North Quay.
Work on the $19.6 million project, which also includes construction of a rail bridge over Tydeman Road and the realignment of Port Beach Road, is expected to begin in mid 2004, with completion in 2005.
In addition, work has already commenced on a new road on Victoria Quay, on the south side of the harbour, and realignment of the freight railway so that it is closer to the passenger rail line.
The $4.8 million project is designed to improve public access to the Fremantle waterfront.
It will also open up additional land on Victoria Quay for cargo handling.
As well as the works planned for Fremantle, the Government is developing a master plan for redevelopment of the Kewdale rail freight terminal.
The Government is presently in negotiations with rail company Pacific National, which operates the existing rail terminal at Kewdale.
The redevelopment is expected to feature an 1,800-metre terminal for interstate trains and a smaller adjacent terminal to handle container freight coming from Fremantle.
The Fremantle freight is managed by Fremantle Link Services, a joint venture between listed companies Toll and Patrick, which are also the owners of Pacific National.
The Government’s master plan also sets aside land for the possible future development of a second competing rail freight terminal at Kewdale.
