Pleas to revive EP rail divides politicians with Senator Rex Patricks slamming Liberal candidate for Flinders Sam Telfer

The future of a century-old transport network halted in 2019 has divided politicians as a rural community demands its return and investment in SA’s “neglected” rail.

A plan to revive rail in the state’s west to take pressure off the region’s struggling roads and save the “dying” small towns it once helped form, has divided politicians.

Independent senator Rex Patrick and Tumby Bay Mayor and Liberal candidate for Flinders, Sam Telfer have exchanged words after a public forum on the future of Eyre Peninsula railway lines.

The South Australian Transport Action Group is calling for the reinstatement of tracks which were used to carry both passengers and freight, predominantly bulk grain haulage, across the region for 112 years before services were halted in 2019.

Independent Senator Rex Patricks. Picture: Supplied

In the Senate on Monday, Senator Patricks said Mr Telfer had “no ambition” for Eyre Peninsula’s infrastructure.

“Sam Telfer turned up to the Port Lincoln railway meeting on Sunday not to listen to the locals, not to carry their message back to Adelaide, but to preach the word of his party’s Adelaide-focused leadership,” Senator Patricks said.

“His view was trucks, trucks, trucks, trucks.

“Sam didn’t listen to the business case – he didn’t explore the possibilities.”

Senator Patricks, who is considering running for the seat of Grey, said truck freight had negative impacts on the region’s roads, locals, visitors, farmers and environment, criticising the state and federal governments’ investment in rail.

“There’s not a single dollar spent on rail in the Eyre Peninsula – a region that produces 40 per cent of South Australia’s wheat crop, 24 per cent of the barley crop and 22 per cent of canola,” he said.

Mr Telfer quashed Senator Patrick’s speech labelling it “political games” and said he would continue to prioritise the region’s infrastructure needs to “deliver safer and stronger communities”.

Liberal candidate for Flinders and Tumby Bay Mayor Sam Telfer. Picture: supplied

“At last weekends public meeting I was hoping to hear direct from locals on their perspectives on the infrastructure needs for the EP in the years ahead,” he said.

“Unfortunately, we mainly heard from people from Adelaide and those with political interests, with only 10 minutes available for questions and statements from locals.”

Prior to the meeting, Eyre Peninsula Railway Preservation Society president Peter Knife said the construction of the lines were integral to the region’s growth.

Peter Knife with model versions of trains previously ran on the Eyre Peninsula railway line. Picture: Micaela Stark

“When the lines were first built, they enabled the spread of agriculture across the Eyre Peninsula,” Mr Knife said.

“None of the towns, besides Port Lincoln, Ceduna and Penong, even existed before rail.”

Concerned locals say rail was brought to a steaming halt in 2019 after Canadian grain handlers Viterra turned to road freight transport putting added pressure on roads.

“We’ve seen significant deterioration of the roads since rail stopped running,” Mr Knife said.

“Besides a couple of overtaking lanes, we have seen no real investment in the road network in the Lower Eyre Peninsula.”

The Eyre Peninsula railway line runs from Penong to Port Lincoln and has connecting lines to Mt Hope and Buckleboo. Picture: Micaela Stark

South Australian Transport Action Group chairman John Hill said the state government had not paid near enough attention to rail.

“Rail is very much neglected in SA,” Mr Hill said.

The SA government allocated $1.11m to metropolitan rail upgrades as part of its 2021-22 budget.

The federal government also revealed a $110b, decade long infrastructure investment strategy, designed to “bust congestion, better connect our regions and meet our national freight challenge” to start this year.

However, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Corey Wingard said reopening the Eyre Peninsula railway was not on the agenda.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Corey Wingard. Picture: Supplied

“There are currently no plans to reactivate the Eyre Peninsula rail network because it is not considered a viable option compared to road transport,” Mr Wingar said.

“Upgrades currently being undertaken on Eyre Peninsula roads will help manage traffic, improve road safety, freight productivity and efficiency for road users.”

Minister Wingard confirmed $125m has been allocated to upgrading roads in the region, including overtaking lanes on the Tod, Flinders and Lincoln highways.

Warrachie landowner Marie Shaw (Roberts) questioned when dollars would be allocated to support Eyre Peninsula’s rail.

“Communities along the rail lines are dying,” Mrs Shaw said.

“Reopening rail will revitalise these communities.”

A 2021 CSIRO report found that Australian producers, manufacturers and growers could save around $170m in transport costs annually if rail was used.