Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery yesterday met Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba, Goulburn Mayor Geoff Kettle, Wingecarribee Mayor Juliet Arkwright and Wollondilly Mayor Col Mitchell to develop a plan of attack. The mayors have formed the Coalition of Councils for the Maldon-Dombarton Rail Link to  lobby Infrastructure NSW and Infrastructure Australia.

‘‘It’s a really positive step to see all these councils working together to put pressure on the state and federal governments to have the Maldon-Dombarton rail link completed,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

‘‘The Maldon-Dombarton rail link is vital for the expansion of Port Kembla operations and its connectivity throughout southern and western NSW.

‘‘Council wants more freight and commodities to be by rail and to bypass the metropolitan rail network and, more specifically, the [South Coast] Line.

‘‘The Maldon-Dombarton rail link is essential for the economy, especially for those councils in the southern half of NSW.

‘‘That is why so many councils are now on board – they see this project in their interest as well as in the Illawarra’s.’’