Kiama train change would end under NSW Labor’s A$6.8 billion rail pledge

Lead

On 26 October 2026, NSW Labor announced an A$6.8 billion South Coast Rail Plan covering the Illawarra and South Coast rail corridor that would electrify the Kiama–Bomaderry section, allowing through electric services to Sydney’s Central without a change at Kiama if the Minns government is returned at the next state election. The announcement identifies immediate works of A$621 million and schedules detailed planning to begin in 2027, with construction completion expected in the mid-to-late 2030s.

Verified facts

The state government’s announcement sets an overall headline figure of A$6.8 billion for the South Coast Rail Plan. It specifies an immediate A$621 million investment in works described as already under way ahead of electrification and duplication. The stated immediate works include renewing power and signalling equipment, upgrading drainage and culverts, raising sections of track to limit flooding, strengthening embankments, stabilising slopes between Waterfall and Wollongong against landslips and rockfalls, and protecting rail assets from bushfire and extreme heat. The plan names a start date for detailed planning in 2027 and expects construction to be completed in the mid-to-late 2030s. The government reported that the line currently carries 7.6 million passengers a year and forecast growth of 29% in passenger demand and 26% in freight demand by 2041. The announcement followed a decision two days earlier not to proceed with proposed timetable changes for the T4, T8 and South Coast lines that had been scheduled to start on 15 November. NSW voters are scheduled to go to the polls on 13 March 2027.

Organisations and responsibilities

The announcement is presented by NSW Labor and attributed to the Minns government; the government is the responsible party for the pledge. Transport Minister John Graham is referenced in the reporting as linking the commitment to earlier service extensions to Kiama and describing the rationale for electrification. Transport for NSW documents are cited in the reporting for operational details: the Illawarra Shoalhaven Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (released 1 September) is referenced for current service patterns and target service frequencies. No other organisations, contractors or suppliers are named in the source material. Where the reporting attributes statements to the government, that attribution is preserved below.

Operational and commercial context

According to the report, the government said electrifying the Kiama–Bomaderry section would allow older diesel trains operating between Kiama and Bomaderry to be replaced with electric trains and remove the need to change trains at Kiama. The plan also proposes capacity works between Wollongong and Kiama — a mostly single-track section — to add extra tracks and passing loops to support more frequent services with regular stopping patterns. Between Hurstville and Sutherland the plan proposes expanding the existing two-track section shared by the South Coast Line, T4 Illawarra Line and freight trains to four tracks, separating South Coast and T4 services. The report states that detailed planning will address flat junctions, level crossings and placement of stations and track. The government said the immediate A$621 million works are already under way and were informed by the Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan that Labor promised at the last election. The Illawarra Shoalhaven Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan, published 1 September, shows current off-peak services from Bomaderry run every two hours with a transfer at Kiama and sets a 20-year goal of a train every 60 minutes between Bomaderry and Sydney via Kiama; the report notes that that plan does not list electrification of Kiama–Bomaderry and leaves future duplication to longer-term planning. The government said forecasts are for 29% passenger demand growth and 26% freight demand growth by 2041, which it presented as underpinning the case for the works. Detailed planning beginning in 2027 is described as the stage that will confirm the final scope and cost; the government expects construction completion in the mid-to-late 2030s.

Sources

https://www.railway.supply/kiama-train-change-would-end-under-nsw-labors-a6-8-billion-rail-pledge/ — Railway Supply

Disclosure

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