NSW rail project cost inflation - Like Weimar without the wheelbarrows
The August 2010 NSW submission to Infrastructure Australia came to 544 pages and sought funding for four major projects, one of which was the North West Rail Link ('Let's get this rail link back on track,' Herald Letters, March 31). Leaving aside the volume of material to be considered, IA's reticence regarding the NWRL may also reflect scepticism about the Weimar-like increases in NSW rail project costs. Since the August 2010 submission to IA, the cost of the North West Rail Link has escalated from $7.54 billion to an even $10 billion, a 32% increase.
Based on recent comparable or more difficult tunneling projects, the Swiss or the West Australians would build the north-west link for less than $2 billion. The experience of Sydney's Airport Line suggests a similar figure.
Mr O'Farrell needs to immediately address the anti-rail bias and debauching of professional standards within Treasury and Transport NSW. It's damaging the state and retarding its development. Because until he does and NSW proffers sound, defensible and comparable rail project cost estimates, the Commonwealth is not going to give NSW a red cent, and nor should it.
John Bignucolo