Mrs IRWIN (9:10 PM) —The southern Sydney freight line is a major project which will bring great benefit to the economy by improving interstate rail freight services. The line will run parallel to the existing southern Sydney line, through Liverpool to Cabramatta and then through to Chullora via Sefton. The line provides a rail link from Melbourne to Brisbane via Sydney, in the ownership of the Australian Rail Track Corporation.

The most significant impact of the line in suburban Sydney will be the section from Warwick Farm to Villawood in my electorate of Fowler. Its most severe impact will be on Cabramatta Station, which will need to be completely rebuilt to allow for the new line. Cabramatta is a vibrant commercial centre, catering to Sydney’s Asian community. While the present railway line cuts Cabramatta into two sections, the construction of a third line will result in greater separation as well as the loss of much needed parking space adjacent to the line. This impact of the line on Cabramatta is of concern to Fairfield City Council.

In private and public briefings with the Australian Rail Track Corporation, the council has expressed its desire to see the Cabramatta section of the line placed underground to reduce its impact on the area. This proposal is not favoured by the corporation, and Fairfield City Council has held a meeting with New South Wales government ministers, with a view to obtaining modifications to the plans affecting suburban rail services to reduce the impact on Cabramatta. Last October, Fairfield City Council wrote, seeking a meeting with the Minister for Transport and Regional Services to express its concerns and seek the best outcome for residents and businesses in the Cabramatta area. To date, the council has not had a reply from the minister.

I should point out to the House that the line is designed to carry freight trains up to 1½ kilometres long, travelling at speeds of 80 kilometres an hour. At full speed, such trains take over one minute to pass by. At the expected capacity of the service, there will be 24 trains in each direction—that is, a train passing through every half hour, day and night. There is no curfew whatsoever on the line. The noise and vibration from these trains is excessive and requires the highest standard of track and well designed noise barriers to relieve at least some of the impact on residents and businesses in the Cabramatta area.

At Cabramatta Station, there is barely enough room for the existing two lines with separate platforms. Construction of the freight line at ground level would leave almost no room for pedestrian access from Railway Parade on the western side or from Broomfield Street on the eastern side. Only the complete rebuilding of the station, either underground or with an elevated concourse, will provide an acceptable means of handling the passenger traffic at Cabramatta.

I should mention that Cabramatta is an important transport link. Three train services travel to the city via Granville, Regents Park and also via the Bankstown line. Trains also travel to Blacktown on the Cumberland line. Cabramatta Station services a large population and is a hub for bus services from Cecil Hills, Bonnyrigg, St Johns Park, Mount Pritchard and Edensor Park. It is one of the busiest suburban stations in Sydney.

Cabramatta is an important shopping destination, with many people travelling by train to buy the range of Asian groceries and foods, and the fabrics and home wares in its many special shops. Visitors have the choice of more than 40 restaurants, serving some of the best Asian foods available anywhere in Australia. Unless a suitable solution can be found, the basic realignment of the current platforms, as proposed, will prove to be unsafe and will have a detrimental effect on the commerce in Cabramatta.

As I said earlier, Fairfield City Council has not heard back from the minister, and my own written requests for the minister to meet with the council have not been responded to either. I would hope that the Minister for Transport and Regional Services is not deaf to the reasonable requests of Fairfield City Council and the people of Cabramatta who are seeking to minimise the impact of this project on their comfort and amenity.