NSW reopens planning for Maldon-Dombarton rail corridor
Could the Maldon–Dombarton line finally be built?
A long-dormant piece of Illawarra transport history may finally be edging back into NSW Government’s strategic sights, with the release of the Draft Illawarra Shoalhaven Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP) confirming a renewed commitment to plan for future freight use of the Maldon-Dombarton rail corridor.
The draft plan, released for public consultation, identifies Maldon–Dombarton as a strategic east-west rail connection that would strengthen links between the Illawarra and south-west Sydney.
While the project is not yet funded for construction, Transport for NSW has formally committed to planning for the future rail line, positioning it as a central element of the region’s long-term freight strategy.
NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas has long advocated for the rail line.
“Completing the Maldon-Dombarton Rail Line is a key priority to ensure resilient and productive freight connections to Port Kembla and to connect passengers directly between the Illawarra and south-western Sydney,” she said.
“We welcome the commitment in the draft Plan to start planning for this vital rail link.”
Construction on the rail link began in 1983 and was abruptly abandoned just five years later. Since then, numerous efforts have been made to revive the project.
The most significant was in 2017, when Infrastructure Australia assessed the corridor and found it infeasible, noting that projected coal volumes would not support the required investment.
The release of the Draft SRITP marks the first meaningful shift in years.
Only months ago, Transport for NSW struck a more cautious note. In August, the agency told The Pulse Illawarra that related strategic work - particularly on the Outer Sydney Orbital corridor, which intersects with broader freight planning - was not an immediate government priority.
According to the draft plan, the proposed corridor would expand freight capacity, improve efficiency for key industries, and provide a more resilient alternative to the region’s heavily constrained road and rail networks.
Port Kembla’s growing role in the state’s freight future further elevates the importance of identifying new, reliable transport pathways to support manufacturing, mining, agricultural exports and container movements.
Calfas said the route would open the door for millions of tonnes of diverse trade.
“Maldon-Dombarton will provide a more direct rail connection to western Sydney, the Sydney metropolitan intermodal terminals and western NSW, making freight and passenger movements more productive and improving the overall resilience of the rail network for importers and exporters through Port Kembla,” she said.
“The draft plan recognises the important role Port Kembla plays in the movement of millions of tonnes of diverse trade annually, including grain, coal, copper concentrate and cement.”
The plan places Maldon–Dombarton within a broader package of initiatives aimed at strengthening freight performance, including upgrades to inter-regional road links, improvements to freight routes within the Illawarra, and the completion of the Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan, which will assess future rail reliability and capacity.
Transport for NSW states that planning for the rail link will help ensure the region is prepared for long-term economic and population growth.
“The Illawarra is growing fast, and our transport network needs to grow with it. This draft Plan gives our community a clear view of what the next twenty years can look like,” said Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, Ryan Park.
“This work is about helping people get to work, school, the hospital and the beach more easily while keeping freight moving to support local jobs and industry.”
The Draft SRITP is open for public feedback until February 9.