A Canadian rail expert will speak at a seminar in Blayney on Friday 10 May about the potential for the redevelopment of freight railways in regional areas and how interstate and overseas railways have been revived for national and local benefit.

 

The Regional Rail Revival seminar at the Blayney Community Centre is hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU), Blayney Shire Coun­cil and Lachlan Regional Transport Committee, with the support of Cowra, Harden, Weddin, and Young Shire Councils. Speakers include Mr Ed Zsombor, Director of Rail Services, Province of Saskatchewan, Canada; Councillor Gordon Bradbery, OAM, Lord Mayor of the City of Wollongong; Mr Bryan Nye, CEO Australasian Railway Association; Mr Frank Lander, Senior Policy Officer, Department of Transport Victoria; and adjunct Associate Professor Ian Gray, Institute for Land, Water and Society at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga.

 

Professor Gray said, “Governments often adopt policies aimed at reducing the proportion of freight on roads and increasing the proportion on rail, but the policies rarely succeed, and many lines remain under-used or not used at all.

 

“Often the road share just keeps growing and the road transport industry strains to meet the demand. Such is the case in eastern Australia, despite appeals from coastal and inland towns and cities suffering from congestion, environmental, health and safety issues, and growing road capital and maintenance costs.

 

“Regional areas suffer from high freight costs which constrain economic development, and councils are expected to take up the burden of increased road maintenance.”

 

Professor Gray says that following an initiative taken by five local government areas, the railway line south from Blayney to Demondrille is being considered by the NSW government for revival.

 

“The cooperative process, involving state and local government, has revealed a potentially viable railway worthy of revival. It has also demonstrated the potential of regional railways, and laid the ground for partnerships between industry and all levels of government.

 

“The seminar will offer an update on this process and discuss how the Blayney-Demondrille rail model can be applied in different situations,” he said.