Media Release - TOOT -  18 November 2011

Casino-Murwillumbah Rail Study announced

The NSW Government has today announced the first details of a study for putting services on the Casino-Murwillumbah line.

TOOT is glad to see some development on the issue but would like to widen the terms of reference.

"From the government's press releases today this study seems to be very narrowly focused on costs, but nothing about the benefits," said Ms Kolbe, President of TOOT Trains on our Tracks.

"A rail service will provide many benefits to the region but these are not being examined at all in the proposed study."

"We'd like to see an analysis of having less congestion, particularly in places like Byron Bay."

"We'd also like to see the benefits to tourism considered. We already have 1.5 million tourists looking for transport into and around our region."

"We'd also like to see the environmental benefits, like reduced carbon emissions, or better air quality,properly accounted for."

"And we'd also like to see the savings factored in. With less cars and buses on the road, maintenance costs to councils and the RTA will be reduced.

"This is one side of a 'comprehensive study' to quote Mr Don Page's words [last paragraph of his media release], and we look forward to hearing when the long-term benefits to residents, visitors and the environment will be considered also.

Note: The tender documents don't seem to be available today, so we will be looking at these as soon as they are published. _________________________________________________________________________________

Media: Karin Kolbe 0411 594 599 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it www.toot.org.au