New Hunter Rail Freight Link Confirmed

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The corridor for a planned 30 kilometre rail freight link between Fassifern and Hexham has been confirmed by Transport for NSW. 

It's hoped the future link, known as the Lower Hunter Freight Corridor, will alleviate the region's rail congestion, while also better connecting the Port of Newcastle with regional NSW. 

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway, said said the route was developed in collaboration with 570 community members. 

And, Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes, said he hopes the agreed-upon route will benefit both passengers and industry.

"It moves in a north-westerly direction at Fassifern and goes up behind Holmesville and through Minmi, then comes out at Hexham to join the line coming into Newcastle. Then, the line that goes west will eventually link to the inland rail that already links up to the northern line up to Brisbane," Mr Hawes said.  

Mr Hawes added he also hopes community feedback will continue to shape the plans for the link. 

"I have no doubt people out there will be concerned about the environmental impacts, but I'm hopeful that the process they will go through to get the approval before they construct will bear that in mind and mitigate those impacts." 

Hunter residents can now view the plan online, as the project moves towards final design stages and construction. 

The Lower Hunter Freight Corridor has been confirmed by Transport for NSW. 

Rail Company Pacific National Moves To Lock Out Workers Over Safety Dispute

 BY IAN CROUCH

Coal and Freight trains have been brought to a standstill across the Hunter overnight after rail company Pacific National moved to lock out a large part of its workforce.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union says Pacific National has taken the action from midnight due to a dispute over members refusal to work on trains which don't meet safety standards as part of their campaign for a fair enterprise agreement.

Union Secretary Farran Campbell says it's an outrageous attack on Pacific National's workforce and will have an impact on the movement of freight right across the state. 

Pacific National trains have ground to a halt as an industrial dispute escalates