Australian public policy in recent years has identified the need and benefits of focusing on regional development, as the nation wrestles with the high costs of addressing congestion, transport, pollution and an array of affordability and social challenges.

A sensible and affordable approach to regional development is to develop Australia’s satellite regions that are immediately proximate to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

The Queensland Government has done this with significant investments made in the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

Similarly, the Victorian Government has adopted a ‘hub and spoke’ investment model which has seen a greater focus on Victoria’s major regional centres of Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.

To achieve this development it is essential that transport connectivity between the Illawarra and Greater Sydney be substantially improved.

The Business Chamber has highlighted the potential benefits to the region and NSW from improved rail connectivity.

Currently, the Illawarra is connected by a rail line constructed in the late 1800s that provides an average speed of 56km/h over the 82km journey between Wollongong and Sydney for commuters and which struggles to meet existing freight demand forcing both trucks and passenger vehicles onto an already congested road network.

Illawarra First and the SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong, recently released a detailed report that examined the cost and benefits of a new rail link referred to as the South West Illawarra Rail Link (SWIRL). The rail link would connect south-west Sydney and the Illawarra, potentially reducing the rail travel time between Wollongong and Campbelltown by 70 minutes and Wollongong to Leppington and Liverpool by over 30 minutes.

Conservative estimates contained in the report indicate SWIRL would deliver an additional $2.6 billion in Gross Regional Product and provide an additional 1,100 new jobs for the region at a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 1.13.

It takes more than a good idea to deliver a project such as the SWIRL. It requires money! Enter the Australian Government’s National Rail Program which will provide some $10 billion in funding for rail projects that, “increase housing choices by opening up regional areas, encourage job opportunities, provide more reliable transport networks and that support regional Australia”.

The National Rail Program presents a once in a generation opportunity for the Illawarra and Western Sydney. However, it is now up to the NSW Government to make a submission to the Australian Government to secure funding that would provide money to develop the necessary plans and business case assessments to develop the project.

The Australian Government and Federal Opposition have both indicated their interest and support for measures that improve rail connectivity between the Illawarra and Sydney. So it is difficult to understand why there would be any hesitation from the NSW Government in making a similar commitment, especially when there is potential funding on the table to fund part of the cost to improve the South Coast Line and construct the SWIRL.

Regrettably, the focus in recent times at bureaucratic level has been the development of long-range plans that include glossy photos and statements in respect to the importance of strategic planning but are disappointing in respect to any plans regarding the delivery of rail infrastructure outside the city gates of Sydney.

Other states and territories seem to have got the message and are formulating their proposals. The Australian Government is actively looking for transport projects that connect cities to regional and semi-regional areas. However, in NSW thus far, all is quiet and this means there is a real risk that this region will miss out on funding on offer through programs like the $10  billion National Rail Program.

Chris Lamont is the executive director of the Illawarra Business Chamber