[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE: 'Newcastle Light Rail Route a Gift to Property Developers ' Greens NSW Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC

[Mehreen Faruqi]

Media Release
23.5.14
Newcastle Light Rail Route a Gift to Property Developers
Greens NSW MP and Transport spokesperson, Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, has called the announcement of the light rail route in Newcastle further confirmation that the truncation of the rail line is more about property development than public transport.  Newcastle residents will hold a community rally to protest the decision next Wednesday (28/5/2014) at 12pm outside NSW Parliament.

"When Minister Goward talks about opening up significant areas of the rail corridor for public use, I find it highly unlikely she means parks or public infrastructure.

"Where is the consultation report that contains the supposed endorsement of this route? Today's announcement is just a coloured line on a map, with no mention of where all the associated infrastructure will be placed.

"People's suspicions that this is just a land grab for property developers could be coming to fruition.

"It is clear they are now fast-tracking the process to make the removal of the rail tracks a fait acompli before the next election.

"It is highly offensive that that public infrastructure like Newcastle port was sold to pay for ripping up rail lines that the community wants and needs.

"This is a government for which consultation is a tick a box exercise - the Transport Minister never asked people whether they wanted their rail line removed at all.

"This is a plan to drive down public transport usage, force people to interchange and make life more difficult for residents of the wider Hunter Region.

"The plan to cut the Newcastle railway line came out of nowhere and this government needs to explain for whose benefit it is, because it definitely isn't the communities.

"With so much uncertainty around decision making and Newcastle a major focus of the current Independent Commission against Corruption investigation, the Government should not be proceeding with this plan with so many question marks and unanswered questions.

"Newcastle could benefit from light rail, but as an addition to, rather than a replacement for, current services.  The Greens strongly support investment in integrated public transport but this must not be done at the cost of existing infrastructure and without clear and transparent justification.

"I encourage people to stand up to save public transport in Newcastle and join the rally outside Parliament House on Wednesday ", she concluded.

Media Contact: Matt Hilton 0423 106 247

Details of the rally: https://www.facebook.com/events/1418894368388964/



Matt Hilton
Legislative, Policy and Media Adviser

Office of Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC
Legislative Council | NSW Parliament
E: matthew.hilton at parliament.nsw.gov.au<mailto:matthew.hilton at parliament.nsw.gov.au>
P: (02) 9230 2625 | M: +61423106247|F: facebook.com/mehreenfaruqi | T: @MehreenFaruqi | W: mehreenfaruqi.org.au
Mail: Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

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