Push to reinstate train services for SA regions for business growth, residents

The final passenger train from Adelaide went through the Burra Railway Station in 1987. On the Limestone Coast, business can’t grow because of transport costs. It’s time something changed, advocates say.

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Meredith Satchell recalls the excitement of heading to Burra Railway Station as a little girl, to catch the train into Adelaide.

“It was a steam train, so you had to hang your head out of the window, and then you got smoke in your eyes,” Ms Satchell says.

“I was about six or seven and going to Adelaide was hugely exciting, and scary.

“The only way you left Burra then was by train.”

Ms Satchell is among locals who took the Broken Hill Express into town to do their shopping, visit friends or get to medical appointments.

The days when Burra locals could access Peterborough, Adelaide, and other destinations by rail, are long gone.

Pip Edson, Paul Henley, Meredith Satchell and Debbie Elliot at their lovingly restored train station. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

The last passenger train went through the area in 1986 and since then residents have had to drive, rely on family or friends, or take bus services to get around.

The SA Regional Rail Alliance is campaigning to bring passenger trains back to the line.

Spokesman Paul Henley says for people with health and mobility issues, rail provided an alternative to long bus trips.

“Without the services, a lot of people are isolated,” Mr Henley says.

“A lot of people in regional towns aren’t able to sit on a bus for long periods of time, or to fly. The facilities for people with wheelchairs aren’t on buses and planes like they are on trains.”

The Burra man has also been lobbying the State Government to reinstate the regular passenger services from Adelaide to the Barossa Valley, and to Port Pirie, Port Augusta and Whyalla, in a bid to better connect those living in the regions.

“The Barossa line should be in operation not just for general traffic but to provide a tourism boost for SA,” he said.

“When you speak to people in government about reinstating rail, they really put it in the too-hard basket. But country people pay taxes as well.”

Pip Edson, Paul Henley, Meredith Satchell and Debbie Elliot at the Burra train station. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Mr Henley was also concerned about the state of railway lines outside Burra and near Roseworthy, saying in some areas, they were so overgrown they created a fire risk.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said the government was forming a new public transport authority, which would consider matters such as regional train services.

“It’s important to note that while regional rail passenger services were prevalent in South Australia prior to the increase in private car ownership in the 1960s, they operated at a significant loss with declining patronage as road transit times improved,” Mr Knoll said.

Meantime, Meredith Satchell and friend Pip Edson are among the Friends of Burra Railway Station, who have spent years advocating for the landmark’s restoration.

The $350,000 upgrade, including about $300,000 in State Government funding, has involved the community meticulously restoring the building and converting part of it into accommodation.

It is expected to be complete in time for the 150-year anniversary of rail services to Burra in August 2020.

The upgrades would be further showcased if trains were brought back to the region.

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Rail resurrection needed for Limestone Coast economy

Business growth in the Limestone Coast is believed to be being hindered by the cost of moving product around the region, prompting an investigation into resurrecting rail.

Limestone Coast Regional Development Australia has commissioned CSIRO to analyse where the region is losing productivity and what it costs to access markets by road and rail.

The study was prompted by the region’s industries — predominantly forestry, fishing and agriculture — which said it was too expensive to value-add and move their product.

“Transport infrastructure is potentially an impediment to growth for businesses,” RDA investment attraction and infrastructure manager Elizabeth Perkins said.

“But it’s also potentially an impediment to new businesses, new manufacturing and new industry coming to this region.

“Ultimately, businesses want to make money and how productive they can be in this region is crucial to whether they invest here or somewhere else.”

Rail freight has not been used in the region for 20 years, but there is an existing line from Heywood, in southern Victoria, to Wolseley, near Bordertown.

If resurrected, the line would link the Limestone Coast with ports across Australia, via existing freight routes from Wolseley and Heywood.

“At this stage, we don’t know where investment is best on our freight network, so that’s why we’re looking at road and what it might cost if there’s a rail network,” Dr Perkins said.

“One of the biggest challenges around rail is having a corridor — ours is still there.

“Yes, it would need an upgrade but it’s been preserved in both directions.

“If we can move our products to global markets faster and in better condition, it opens up incredible opportunities for value adding.

“Horticulture has huge potential in this region, but it’s a product that is time and temperature sensitive.”

The RDA said the Victorian Government’s regional rail revival could be beneficial to resurrecting a smaller part of the line from Mt Gambier to Heywood.

Kimberly-Clark Millicent mill manager Scott Whicker said all of their products were transported by road as there was no other choice, which can be limiting for many businesses.

“A railway service, particularly an intermodal service, for materials that need to travel longer distances could benefit current and new businesses in the region,” Mr Whicker said.

“However, it would need to be a cost competitive service compared to road transport.”

In an exclusive interview with The Advertiser last month, the man expected to be the nation’s infrastructure minister if Bill Shorten wins government has said projects that drive tourism growth in the regions would be a high priority.

Opposition spokesman Anthony Albanese said he wanted more infrastructure projects in regional SA where there is “huge potential”.

— Erin Jones

Roseworthy housing development spurs on push for rail reopening

A major housing development should lead to the reopening of the rail line from Gawler, the Public Transit Association of SA says.

President David Beres said plans to raise the population between Roseworthy and Hewett by up to 12,000 people meant the rail link must be considered.

“The rail corridor is there and there is ample opportunity to re-establish the rail line,” he said, though the line itself was “rusting away” having not been used for years.

“You would have to rip it up and start again.”

Mr Beres said as the population grew it would first justify a shuttle service from Roseworthy to the Gawler station, and eventually a full service to the Adelaide CBD.

He noted the former Labor state government had included running trains to Roseworthy in its long-term transport plan and its development plan for greater Adelaide.

The Advertiser on Monday revealed Land Vision Group’s masterplan for an 800-home estate, St Yves, with a new Trinity College campus and a retail and community hub south of the Roseworthy township.

An artist impression of the planned St Yves development at Roseworthy.

It will be part of a broader development of up to 4400 homes over 20 years.

The St Yves plan includes a bike trail to Gawler but Mr Beres said a rail link would help persuade more future residents to “leave their car at home”.

He said the Roseworthy development would be of similar size to Mawson Lakes, which has a rail and bus interchange.

The line north of Gawler has not been used since the last Burra freight service in the 1990s, and passenger trains had stopped well before that, he said.

Light Regional Council Mayor Bill O’Brien and Land Vision Group have also noted the potential for the resumption of a train service to Roseworthy.

— Tim Williams