TOOT furious NSW Govt looking to sell off rail corridors

The NSW Cabinet is considering legislation to sell off rail corridors around the state.

“For years we’ve been told that corridor will remain. The Regional Strategic Plan said that corridor would be retained. The Minister repeated in April this year that the corridor would be retained (ABC Local radio, 28 April 2009). Yet in September the Minister is rushing through legislation to sell out off land that has been publicly owned for over a century,” said TOOT President Karin Kolbe.

The Northern Rivers isn't the only target: every rail line in regional NSW and even in Sydney could be sold to the highest bidder if this legislation is passed. If the Minister has plans for specifc rail lines, then the legislation should specify those lines. We are totally opposed to a blanket sell off.”

“We’re extremely angry that the government refuses to listen to the people. Over and over again the community’s calls for public transport are ignored.”

TOOT is proposing a light-rail commuter service, of up to 16 services a day (8 each way). Such a service would serve workers, students, shoppers and people seeking medical services.

A Southern Cross University Survey has shown that a commuter service would attract 2879 passengers per day on the existing line. see http://www.scu.edu.au/news/media.php?item_id=866&action=show_item&type=M

The North Coast is attracting the more mobile of the ageing population, and needs an accessible transport system, not a car- or bus-based transport system'

“Additionally some of the 1.7 million tourists who come to Byron Bay and the region could arrive by rail, or explore the hinterland by rail, providing a valued source of tourist dollars to the inland regions.

“Australia’s green house emissions need to be significantly reduced, but are continuing to rise and road-based transport is the largest contributor to that. As a country we need to be moving from cars to rail. We need to have a coastal rail link between NSW and Qld - a distance of just 26km.”

“It it is particularly galling to know that just over the border the Qld govt is building new rail lines south to cope with growing demand.”

In 1961 the Qld govt stopped the rail service to Coolangatta/Tweed Heads. At huge expense they are now bringing it back to the Coolangatta airport. If the old corridor still existed then the new service could end where people actually live and work: in Coolangatta /Tweed Heads itself rather than the airport.

“The current Minister for Transport has never visited this area - is it too difficult to get around here?”

Contact:  Karin Kolbe 0411 594 599     02) 6680 8516      This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it