Wollongong mayor Gordon Bradbery fears extreme weather events will cut off region

The Illawarra has copped multiple rain events this year which has taken a toll on the region’s transport links, and led to renewed calls for the completion of a long-awaited rail corridor with southwest Sydney.

The abandoned and incomplete Maldon-Dombarton rail link was mentioned during Monday’s Wollongong Council meeting as Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery signalled his fears that extreme weather events could see the region become an “island”.

The rail line that would connect the Illawarra with southwest Sydney was flagged during Cr Bradbery’s mayoral minute on the impact of this year’s big wet which has sent Wollongong cop 1668mm of rain in the 108 days leading to July 1.

The deluge has seen constant disruptions on the region’s rail lines with the Unanderra-Moss Vale line, predominantly used for freight, expected to be out of action for six months.

This chaos has forced more heavy vehicles onto the roads, further clogging the already under-strain Princes Hwy at Mt Ousley which has also had numerous short-term closures in recent months due to the weather.

Cr Bradbery has called for major stakeholders, including big business and neighbouring local government areas, to come to the table to review the impact the weather event has had on the region’s infrastructure and identify issues to lobby state and federal ministers and agencies.

Traffic being diverted from Mt Ousley in March. Picture: Facebook

“There’s a major problem distributing products being manufactured in the Illawarra up and down the east coast of Australia,” Cr Bradbery said.

“We need to work with the business community and neighbouring councils to push for a more reliable transport network that supports our current needs and future prosperity.

“The economic productivity and competitiveness of the Illawarra and the Shoalhaven depends on the connectedness of the region.

“The proposed Maldon-Dombarton rail corridor would provide access to greater western Sydney and support the growth of Wollongong.”

Labor councillor and deputy mayor Tania Brown highlighted the major transport links in and out of the city were reaching capacity, with the South Coast line set to reach its capacity in 2036 while Mt Ousley - which has nearly 50,000 daily users - is supposed to reach its limit by the mid-2020s.

The incomplete Maldon-Dombarton rail link may help prevent the Illawarra becoming an “island”. Picture: NSW Government

“It shows we are vulnerable,” she said.

“We don’t want to become an economic island.”

Liberal councillor Cameron Walters said he would support the motion, but was wary of this becoming “just another meeting” while Greens councillor Mithra Cox warned the situation was only going to get worse.

“We can see that the impacts [of climate change] are already here,” Cr Cox said.

“It’s costing a lot of money for our city. It’s imperative we improve transport infrastructure, but it’s also important we can act on climate change.”

The motion was carried unanimously.