- 15 Jan 2004 01:02
#78848
Central Australian rail link 'realisation of a dream'
The first train to travel on the new Adelaide to Darwin railway begins its journey this morning, leaving the South Australian capital at 11.15 (ACDT).
South Australian Premier Mike Rann says today's journey marks the realisation of a dream of former premier Tom Price, in 1907.
"He had this deal in mind," Mr Rann said.
"He went to Alfred Deakin, the prime minister and said, 'I'll give you the territory if you build us a railway'.
"Well, the Territory was handed over, but the railway was only half built.
"So this is something that people have talked about, an act of nation building for nearly a century.
"[It's] the north-sound link that we've always wanted. It's finally become a reality."
Another former premier, John Olsen, signed the contract for the construction of the railway.
He says he once doubted the line would ever be built.
"When the contracts were signed and the finances were put in place, I was then confident it would proceed," he said.
"But up to that point, there were several occasions in the last 18 months of negotiations where I thought that we had almost reached a dead end.
"But I guess perseverance pays."
Freightlink CEO Bruce McGowan says it is a historic occasion for South Australia and the Northern Territory.
"All sorts of industries, I think, will benefit from the new railway," he said.
Not everyone shares the same enthusiasm.
Shipping Australia chief executive officer Llew Russell says in the short-to-medium term, the line will not be economically viable.
"In terms of promoting it as a major land bridge opportunity in Australia, we feel that importers/exporters would prefer direct shipping services," he said.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Clare Martin says her Government will monitor the impact of the new line on central Australia's trucking industry.
"One of the reasons that we put $3 million just before Christmas into road maintenance in the central Australian area was to assist those businesses who would be directly impacted by the rail," she said.
"We're continuing to work in the central Australian area, to look at the impact."
The first passenger service leaves next month.
From : http://www.abc.net.au/news/australia/sa ... 025691.htm
I think this is GREAT ! I've been on the train as
far as Alice Springs. I'd like to go as far as Darwin then to
East Timor. It'd be cool.
The first train to travel on the new Adelaide to Darwin railway begins its journey this morning, leaving the South Australian capital at 11.15 (ACDT).
South Australian Premier Mike Rann says today's journey marks the realisation of a dream of former premier Tom Price, in 1907.
"He had this deal in mind," Mr Rann said.
"He went to Alfred Deakin, the prime minister and said, 'I'll give you the territory if you build us a railway'.
"Well, the Territory was handed over, but the railway was only half built.
"So this is something that people have talked about, an act of nation building for nearly a century.
"[It's] the north-sound link that we've always wanted. It's finally become a reality."
Another former premier, John Olsen, signed the contract for the construction of the railway.
He says he once doubted the line would ever be built.
"When the contracts were signed and the finances were put in place, I was then confident it would proceed," he said.
"But up to that point, there were several occasions in the last 18 months of negotiations where I thought that we had almost reached a dead end.
"But I guess perseverance pays."
Freightlink CEO Bruce McGowan says it is a historic occasion for South Australia and the Northern Territory.
"All sorts of industries, I think, will benefit from the new railway," he said.
Not everyone shares the same enthusiasm.
Shipping Australia chief executive officer Llew Russell says in the short-to-medium term, the line will not be economically viable.
"In terms of promoting it as a major land bridge opportunity in Australia, we feel that importers/exporters would prefer direct shipping services," he said.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Clare Martin says her Government will monitor the impact of the new line on central Australia's trucking industry.
"One of the reasons that we put $3 million just before Christmas into road maintenance in the central Australian area was to assist those businesses who would be directly impacted by the rail," she said.
"We're continuing to work in the central Australian area, to look at the impact."
The first passenger service leaves next month.
From : http://www.abc.net.au/news/australia/sa ... 025691.htm
I think this is GREAT ! I've been on the train as
far as Alice Springs. I'd like to go as far as Darwin then to
East Timor. It'd be cool.
- By wat0n
- By Sherlock Holmes
- By litwin