Plans for the Rozelle Metro Rail project are according to well informed sources to be altered dramatically and will not have a Rozelle station or the need to bulldoze Woolworth’s Town Hall store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Removing the need for a Rozelle station will mean that even less people will use the new line thus rendering it more of a white elephant than ever was going to be the case.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Westmead Metro Rail project will operate almost parallel to the heavy rail line that has functioned since 1855.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There has not been one Metro Rail project announced that effectively expands rail based transport in Sydney. All Metro Rail projects are well within the radius of existing heavy rail lines. If the New South Wales Labor Government was serious about the future transport needs of Sydney then new railway lines would go to suburbs that are currently devoid of a railway line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metro Rail for Sydney will not have a driver or guard and does not integrate into the existing heavy railways and will be privately owned and run. Prior to the opening of the Sydney-Parramatta railway in 1855 two private companies went broke and the New South Wales Government stepped in and took over the line. Even the second largest tramway network in the world ran at financial losses with the exception of the Watson’s Bay line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While privatisation of Melbourne’s railways and tramways seemed the right thing to do, the Brumby Government has no money to give to the operator’s of the railways to expand the network. The only response from the Brumby Government is to build a Metro Rail line. Again this solution does nothing to expand the capacity of Melbourne’s heavy railways. The only tramway extension of any note has been the Box Hill extension. Whenever the temperature rises in Melbourne the underfunded heavy railway tracks buckle and services are cancelled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What the Government wants people to forget is that the overall strategy is to convert many heavy lines into Metro Rail lines. Not only would John Whitton and John Bradfield’s long forgotten expansion plans never see completion but the Sydney Metropolitan Railways would be effectively destroyed by stealth and the 1 Million plus weekly commuters will simply turn to other means to commute. Sydney would grind to a halt.

Transport planning strategy becomes more complex when Bus Transitways were built and new heavy railway lines would have produced a more coherent network for the same cost of construction.

The Central-Rozelle Metro Rail project is intended to have stations at the following locations:

• Central Station
• Town Hall Square Station
• Martin Place Station
• Barangaroo-Wynyard Station
• Pyrmont Station
• White Bay
• Rozelle Station

The problem with the locations of these stations is that they do not integrate into the heavy rail network. Sydney Central station has 25 platforms and platforms 26 & 27 were built by John Bradfield in the 100 year construction of the Eastern Suburbs line for extensions to the South-East. Platforms 26 & 27 remain hidden from public view. Town Hall station forms part of the City Circle line and allows for easy access to Woolworth’s multi level Town Hall store that will be destroyed by Metro Rail.

Martin Place station forms part of the Eastern Suburbs line and is a vitally important station on the heavy railway network. Barangaroo-Wynyard station is within close proximity to the existing Wynyard station.

The existing Wynyard station has the capacity for 6 platforms. The never used Platforms 1 & 2 is currently a car park. Platforms 1 & 2 could connect to the elevated Platforms at Circular Quay station. Platforms 1 & 2 were also intended to join to Balmain via a bridge in plans announced in 1915. This station was originally intended to be called Wynyard Square.

Pyrmont station will result in the destruction of heritage listed buildings. White Bay station will only proceed if the overseas shipping terminal is built nearby. Rozelle station would be reached by a 12 storey lift shaft that is not designed to accommodate escalators.

The Central-Westmead Metro Rail project is intended to have stations at the following locations:

• Broadway – The University of Sydney
• Camperdown
• Leichhardt
• Five Dock
• Burwood
• Strathfield
• Sydney Olympic Park
• Silverwater
• Camellia
• Parramatta
• Westmead

The problem with the locations of these stations is that they do not integrate into the heavy rail network. Broadway station is within stone’s throw to Sydney Central station and is well served by buses and light rail. The bus routes were formerly operated by trams. Camperdown station has similar issues with Broadway station. Leichhardt station will result in the destruction of many businesses along Parramatta Road. Five Dock impacts heavily on a suburb of heritage value. Burwood station does not integrate into the existing Western line. Strathfield station is currently served by an 8 platform station.

Sydney Olympic Park station was built for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and is a circular semi surface route that traverses a disused freight line. Silverwater station will not serve a new housing development and is in the wrong location. Camelia station competes with the Carlingford heavy railway line.

The Carlingford line opened in 1893 as stage 1 of a 3 stage line to Dural. Stages 2 and 3 have never been built and the Carlingford line is still a single track shuttle service that operated from Clyde. Former NSW Minister for Transport Michael Costa abandoned plans to extend the Carlingford line to Epping.

Parramatta station was announced by Former NSW Minister for Transport Carl Scully to form part of a grand new heavy railway to Chatswood. Westmead station was also announced in 1998 to form part of the heavy railway to Chatswood.

One of the problems with railway line planning is that what may have been good practice in the 19^th century is not suited to the needs of the 21^st century. Railway and Tramway lines were built in a branch line finger style configuration.

In Sydney the East Hills line terminated at East Hills and until the completion of the City Circle lines in both Sydney and Melbourne all lines were not through lines and as patronage grew so did operating restrictions.

Sydney faces daily operating restrictions at the heavy rail station Bondi Junction despite the expansion of turn back facilities. Plans to extend the line to Kingsford in 1947 were abandoned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What should be two completely separate issues are determined by the same people. The configuration of a railway line should be built to join with other lines and improve the effectiveness of the system. The decision to operate a terminating service is made by different criteria. The people who allocate funds to build the lines are Government Minister’s and the operators of the lines are the train controllers and service schedulers. These two issues should be kept separate and all Minister’s should have to do is to cut the opening day ribbon and smile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harris Park Y Link:

When Sydney experienced the Granville Rail Disaster on 18 January 1977 the impact of the disaster effectively cut the rail network in two. Had the Harris Park ‘Y Link’ of been in operation in 1977 the impact on the rail network would have been far less severe despite the enormity of this tragedy. This really illustrates why branch line configurations as put forward in the Metro Rail plans are ill conceived and contemplated as if this were still the 19^th century. Indeed what major road simply ends as a dead end? How many single lane major roads are there?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what is the alternative to Metro Rail for Sydney?

As contained on my website www.isput.com.au the options to expand the heavy railways will result in a far more effective transport system for Sydney as John Whitton and John Bradfield realised many decades ago. The alternatives to the Rozelle Metro include the construction of the Bradfield, Eastwood, Ermington and Hills Lines. The alternatives to the Westmead Metro include Light rail extensions, Carlingford Line Extension, East Hills Line Extension, Ermington, Winston Hills, Macarthur and Northern Line Extension. There is a funding formula contained in the Detailed Overview report in www.isput.com.au

 

Whole suburbs and roads would not be torn apart with heavy rail expansion as predicted with the construction of Metro Rail. Heavy rail expansion does not require the closure of Woolworth’s Town Hall store. The Westmead Metro is intended to be entirely underground whereas heavy rail expansion utilises above, underground and surface alignments. The Westmead Metro does not address the issues that exist at Epping following the full integration of the Epping-Chatswood line into the network.

Epping station:

Epping station has 3 surface platforms and 3 new underground platforms were built when tunneling occurred for the new line.

• Platform 1: Strathfield bound surface platform.
• Platform 2: Hornsby bound surface platform.
• Platform 3: Hornsby bound surface platform.
• Platform 4: Built for line to Parramatta that remains hidden from public view.
• Platform 5: Chatswood bound underground platform.
• Platform 6: Underground platform from Chatswood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rather than waste billions of dollars on the Westmead Metro the solutions lie in the expansion of the heavy railways such as the construction of the Westmead-Epping link. This project was announced in 1998 and simply duplicates the single track Carlingford Line.

Epping Junction:

Further to this is the construction of a double track ‘Diamond Junction’ at Epping. By reconfiguring tracks and crossovers trains can travel from the Carlingford Line onto the Northern Line. When the tunneling at Epping for Platform 4 was bored the plan for the duplicated Carlingford Line was to end as a single track shuttle service at Platform 4. Additional crossover tracks could easily allow dual operating services to continue through to Platform 5. New crossover tracks have been installed at Chatswood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another issue at Epping arose when the new overhead concourse was built. No room was allowed for the Northern Line to operate 4 tracks through Epping station. The solution to this is the construction of short ‘dive’ tunnels to allow trains to utilise the hidden Platform 4 to cater for Strathfield bound services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What can be realised from Metro Rail plans are the flaws that exist and how the heavy railways are more than equipped to handle expansion into the future.

Sydney needs rail expansion and Metro rail is an expensive pipedream that we can ill afford.

Superintendent Rod Smith

NSW Police

Police arrest 48 music revellers on day 1at the “BIG DAY OUT” Homebush

Police made drug detection a priority on the first day of the Big Day Out event at Homebush, with 48 arrests made today for a variety of offences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Police have warned festival goers they will continue with their crackdown on drugs on the second day of the two-day event tomorrow (Saturday 22 January).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commander of Operation Big Day Out, Superintendent Rod Smith, said he was extremely disappointed at the number of arrests on day 1 of the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I warn young people who are attending the Big Day Out tomorrow that if you are thinking of bringing drugs to this event, you will be arrested,” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Tomorrow we are expecting temperatures above 40 degrees and the combination of heat, alcohol and or drugs can be deadly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I am pleading to people to come along to day 2 of this event tomorrow and take head of the warnings. Pace yourself and limit your alcohol consumption. Drink plenty of water to remain hydrated due to the heat and show some personal responsibility,” he said.

The arrests today relate to the possession of drugs including cannabis, ecstasy and MDMA.

Superintendent Smith said Police have been working with event organisers to ensure the event remained safe and fun.

“We want everyone attending to have a good time without fear of being hurt or subjected to drug or alcohol related crime,” Supt. Smith said.

“We’ll also be heavily targeting alcohol related violence and anti-social behaviour so you can expect significant numbers of covert and overt Police patrolling in and outside the venue and on public transport to the event.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paramedics and St John’s Ambulance volunteers have treated 250 patients for alcohol intoxication, dehydration and various other minor injuries at Sydney’s BIG DAY OUT. Among the 250 that Paramedics have treated and transported to Concord Hospital are: 

• 20 y/o Female Intoxication
• 20 y/o Male Ankle Injury
• 20 y/o Female with a suspected spinal injury
• 30 y/o Male overdose and dehydration

Rosehill Local Area Command

Firearm found by car-jack detectives – Rosehill

Detectives from Rosehill Local Area Command have found a handgun believed to have been used in yesterday’s alleged car-jacking at Telopea.

The firearm was located in the grounds of a unit block in Virginia Street Rosehill, about 2.30pm.

It has been seized for forensic examination.

A 28-year-old Greystanes man is due to face Parramatta Local Court this afternoon charged over the alleged car-jacking in Benaud Place, Telopea, about 1.30pm yesterday.

Two women, aged 78 and 36, were allegedly threatened by the man who stole the younger woman’s Holden Commodore.

He was arrested in Harris Street at Rosehill and charged last night at Parramatta Police Station.

A 22-year-old man was arrested at Telopea this morning and interviewed by detectives at Parramatta Police Station in connection with the same incident.

The man was released without charge, pending further investigations.

Rosehill Local Area Command

Police arrest second man following alleged car-jacking – Telopea

Detectives from Rosehill Local Area Command have arrested a second man after an alleged car-jacking and pursuit in Sydney’s west yesterday.

The 22-year-old man was arrested 9.30am today in Sophie Street in Telopea.

He has been taken to Parramatta Police Station where he is currently assisting detectives with their enquiries.

Police yesterday (Thursday 21 January) charged a man in relation to the alleged car-jacking and pursuit.

Police were searching for a 2005-model Holden Commodore after it was allegedly car-jacked by a man armed with a handgun in Benaud Place, Telopea, about 1.30pm.

A 28-year-old man was arrested in Harris Street at Rosehill after a Police pursuit had earlier been terminated due to safety concerns.

He was taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with aggravated take/drive motor vehicle while armed with weapon; drive manner dangerous, and drive while unlicenced.

The Greystanes man was refused bail and is listed to appear in Parramatta Local Court today (Friday 22 January).

Police will allege the Greystanes man was responsible for the original car-jacking.

The NSW Police Force would like to thank the public and the media for their help during this operation.

Brisbane Water Local Area Command

Police appeal after man in intensive care following stabbing – Gosford

Police are appealing for information after a man was dropped off at an emergency department on the Central Coast suffering a serious stab wound.

About 1:15am today, a 23-year-old man was dropped off at Gosford Hospital suffering a stab wound to his chest.

The man was treated by emergency department staff before being transferred to the intensive care unit where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

Police are investigating possible links between the man’s assault and reports of a brawl in Hills Street, Gosford about 12:30am.

A crime scene was established in Hills Street and examined by specialist forensic officers after a knife was located in the street during a search of the area.

Investigations into the stabbing are continuing with a canvass of the area being conducted.

Gosford detectives wish to speak with anyone who may have witnessed or heard fighting in Hills Street or who has any information that could assist them with the investigation.

Anyone with information about the assault is urged to contact Gosford detectives on (02) 4323 5599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

St Marys Local Area Command

Pursuit – Sydney’s West

Police have pursued a vehicle stolen earlier this week across Sydney’s West yesterday.

Shortly after 9.30pm Police from St Mary’s Local Area Command sighted two male youths in a stolen Holden Statesmen in Elseworth Drive, Tregear, and attempted to stop the vehicle.

The Holden sped away before Police initiated a pursuit East towards Mt Druitt.

Police lost sight of the vehicle before it was again sighted travelling East on the Great Western Highway at St Marys.

About 10.30pm the stolen vehicle was again sighted in Aurora Drive, Tregear, when another pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit went through Tregear, St Marys, Shalvey and Hassallgrove before going onto the M7 motorway. The Holden exited the motorway onto Sunnyholt Road, where the pursuit was again terminated.

Police again sighted the vehicle at Glendenning and followed it through Doonside, Rooty Hill, Mt Druitt, Dharruk and Shalvey, with Polair monitoring the pursuit.

The Holden was eventually located dumped in Dent Place, Shalvey, after the two male youths had fled the scene.

The vehicle was seized for forensic examination and inquiries into the incident are continuing.

The Holden was allegedly stolen in an aggravated break and enter incident at a home in Glenwood on Sunday (17 January).

Anyone with information about the youths whereabouts is urged to contact officers from Operation Countdown – a North West Region operation targeting break and enter offences – at St Marys Police Station on 9677 7499 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Quakers Hill Local Area Command

Man charged following stabbing – Kings Langley

A man has been charged following a stabbing incident in Sydney’s West last week.

About 2am Police and Emergency services were called to Plymouth Crescent at Kings Langley after reports that a man had been stabbed.

Police will allege a number of people were outside a home after leaving a birthday party when an altercation occurred between two men.

A 21-year-old man attempted to intervene in the altercation and as a result became involved in a physical altercation with one of the men.

The 21-year-old man was stabbed a number of times by one of the men, who then ran from the scene.

The victim was taken to Westmead Hospital suffering multiple stab wounds to the abdomen, a laceration to the ear and a wound to his face. He underwent surgery and remains in a stable condition.

A crime scene was established and Police conducted a search of the surrounding area.

Following inquiries, an 18-year-old Berkeley Vale man attended Quakers Hill Police Station about 6.45pm yesterday (Thursday 21 January).

He was arrested and charged with causing wounding with intent to murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The man has been refused bail and is due to appear at Blacktown Local Court today.

Rosehill Local Area Command

Man charged after alleged car-jack, pursuit – Telopea

Detectives from Rosehill Local Area Command have charged a man after an alleged car-jacking and pursuit in Western Sydney this afternoon.

Police were searching for a 2005-model Holden Commodore after it was allegedly car-jacked by a man armed with a handgun in Benaud Place, Telopea, about 1.30pm.

A 28-year-old man was arrested in Harris Street at Rosehill after a Police pursuit had earlier been terminated due to safety concerns.

He was taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with:

• Aggravated take/drive motor vehicle while armed with weapon,
• Drive manner dangerous, and drive while unlicenced.

The Greystanes man was refused bail and will appear in Parramatta Local Court tomorrow.

Police will allege the Greystanes man was responsible for the original car-jacking.

A second man, who Police believed was being carried in the stolen car, is still being sought.

Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit

Teen dies after being pinned by 4WD – Hexham

Officers from the Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit are inquiring into an incident in which a teenage boy died after being struck by a 4WD near Newcastle.

Emergency services were called to Old Punt Road at Hexham about 6.20pm following reports a youth was fishing when a 4WD rolled down the riverbank and pinned him against a concrete drain.

The youth was treated at the scene by Paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital but was unable to be revived.

While he is yet to be formally identified, it is believed he is a 14-year-old local boy.

A crime scene was established and officers from the Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit called to examine the scene.

The owner of the 4WD, a 47-year-old man Ashtonfield was taken for mandatory blood and urine tests.

Police will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.

Northern Beaches Local Area Command

Police release CCTV footage of men they wish to speak to following assault – Mona Vale

Detectives from Northern Beaches Local Area Command have released CCTV footage of four men they believe can help with their inquiries into an assault in Mona Vale on Sunday January 3, 2010.

About 3:45am a 36-year-old Mona Vale man was attacked and robbed while he was walking down Foley Street, Mona Vale, outside a licensed club.

Police wish to speak to the four men depicted in CCTV footage in relation to this matter and have appealed for the public’s help in identifying them.

Police are also seeking assistance from anyone who may have knowledge of a party that occurred on the night of Saturday, January 2, 2010 and the morning of Sunday, January 3, 2010 in the vicinity of Mona Vale Road and Foley Street, Mona Vale.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Dee Why Police on 9971 3387 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Footage has been uploaded to YouTube and can be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR-dW-XeLuE