[Greens-Media] FW: MEDIA RELEASE: 'Baird Confirms Newcastle Rail Cut is a Land Grab for Property Developers; Greens Will Oppose Any Law Changes' (Greens NSW MP, Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC)

[Mehreen Faruqi]

Media Release
4 December 2014
Baird Confirms Newcastle Rail Cut is a Land Grab for Property Developers; Greens Will Oppose Any Law Changes

NSW Greens MP and Transport spokesperson Dr Mehreen Faruqi has said that Premier Baird's confirmation that the rail corridor will be open for developers shows that private profits are the prime motivation for crippling Newcastle's public transport system. Any law changes required to sell off the Newcastle rail line will be opposed by the Greens.

Dr Faruqi said:

"The community has suspected it since the plan to cut the Newcastle rail line was announced, but today the Premier has confirmed that his plan to cripple public transport is really a plan to benefit private interests.

"The Government will have to pass legislation to allow the land to be sold off and the Greens will vigorously oppose any such changes in the Parliament and on the streets with the community.

"The Transport Minister has shown her lack of understanding of transport matters yet again - light rail should complement, not replace high capacity heavy rail.

"NSW may well be the first state in the world to rip up a direct connection between its largest and second largest cities.

"Just a week after the Federal Senate unanimously called upon the Baird Government to abandon its plan to rip up the Newcastle Rail line, the Government continues to arrogantly push their ill-conceived plan which is opposed by the community and transport experts alike" she concluded.

Media contact: Matt Hilton 9230 2625 / 0423 106 247

Newcastle Herald Story: http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2741384/rail-corridor-to-be-developed-premier/?cs=4173