[Greens-Media] Greens ask new transport minister when he*ll visit NorthernNSW

[Alison Orme]

MEDIA RELEASE - 15 March 2004

Greens ask new transport minister when he'll visit Northern NSW

Greens MLC and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says she is waiting on the new Transport Minister, John Watkins, to answer her question on notice as to when he will visit Northern NSW to discuss the closure of the Casino- Murwillumbah rail service.

"His answers to my questions on notice are due in three weeks time," Ms Rhiannon said. 

"The Minister needs to visit to show he's not cut from the same cloth as Michael Costa who made a speciality of ignoring local communities.

"Watkins can't ignore the fact that the closure of the Casino-Murwillumbah line has hurt the people of Northern NSW and they are now living with a sub-standard bus service. 

 "Meeting interested community groups, like the Northern Rivers Trains for the Future group and members of the Northern Rivers Regional Organisation of Council, should be at the top of his 'to do' list. 

"The Minister says an integrated transport plan for the area is under development, alongside other rail reviews.  

"This gives him even more reason to go north. He should not just rely on a bunch of distant bureaucrats to plan transport in a region which is experiencing strong growth in both population and tourism 

"Any plan for the future should involve getting the views of those living and working in the area who understand what's needed. The community has asked the Minister to delay a bus tender process now underway until he visits and consults with the community about a commuter service. 

"We await Mr Watkins' answers with interest," Ms Rhiannon said.

More information:  Alison Orme  (02) 9230 3551	0408 976 707
Answers to the following Questions on Notice are due Tuesday 5 April 2005.



2082	TRANSPORT*CASINO TO MURWILLUMBAH RAIL LINE*Ms Rhiannon to ask the Minister for Justice, Minister for Fair Trading, Minister Assisting the Minister for Commerce, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Citizenship representing the Minister for Transport*

(1)	(a)	Will the Minister meet with community groups in Northern NSW including, the Northern Rivers Trains for the Future (NRTF) group, to discuss the closure of the Casino to Murwillumbah rail service?

(b)	If not, why not?

(c)	If so, will this happen in the next month?

(2)	(a)	Did an independent feasibility study undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers on the Casino to Murwillumbah line find that a commuter-focussed locally provided train service would best meet the travel needs of the area?

	(b)	If so, did this study find such an option to be financially viable?

(c)	What is the Minister's response to these findings?

(3)	What is being undertaken to secure the $30 million in funding promised by the Federal Government prior to the October 2004 election for the Casino to Murwillumbah rail service?












Alison Orme (Tues, Wed & alternate Thurs)
Policy Adviser
Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
NSW Parliament
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
ph 02 9230 3549
mob 0432 332 104
fax 02 9230 3550
email: alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au
http://www.lee.greens.org.au