Media Release: 23 Feb 2009

TOOT calls on Federal MPs to support rail

WHAT: Photo opportunity – locals gather with shovels to highlight Casino-Murwillumbah rail line as ‘shovel-ready’ infrastructure project.

WHERE: Murwillumbah Railway Station.

WHEN: Wednesday 25 February, 11am – 12noon

The Federal Government is looking to stimulate the economy through infrastructure projects that are ‘shovel-ready’, that is, ready to get going right now. Unfortunately our State Government is not including the Casino-Murwillumbah rail line, which it closed in 2004, and the long-awaited ‘missing link’ to the Gold Coast, on the list of infrastructure projects they’ve submitted for Federal funding.

Locals are calling on the State and Federal Governments to put these projects back on the agenda, and are urging local federal Labor MPs Justine Elliot (Richmond) and Janelle Saffin (Page) to fully support these efforts.

TOOT President Karin Kolbe said:

“The Casino-Murwillumbah rail line is a shovel-ready project. The line and the stations are all here. We just need some maintenance work."

"Planning for the Gold Coast link should be starting right now.”

“A safe, user friendly and environmentally sustainable local commuter rail service will have many benefits for our region.”

“Rail services will support local jobs, local commerce and a sustainable tourism industry, whilst helping combat the climate crisis and reduce our dependence on crude oil.”

“Locals are demanding a fair share of the infrastructure spending for the Northern Rivers.”

"We're looking for Federal leadership on nation-building infrastructure. By 2050 the NSW govt forecasts a quarter of Australia's population will be on the coastal strip between Coffs Harbour NSW and Hervey Bay QLD. Clearly we need rail infrastructure." (*)

(*) Source: Department of Urban Affairs and Planning 1994. Population Projections for NSW: 1991-2021, 1994 Revision, Prepared by the Demographic Unit for Population Projections Group, Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, Sydney; Cooper, J. and Skinner, J.L, 1992. Population Projections for Queensland and Statistical Divisions 1986-2021, Local Government Areas and Statistical Districts 1986-2006. 1991 Revision, Queensland Department of Housing and Local Government, Brisbane.