[Greens-Media] MEDIA ALERT: 'Greens MP to join rally to ‘Save the Newcastle Rail’ tomorrow' (Greens NSW Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC)

[Mehreen Faruqi]

Media Alert
27.05.14
Greens MP to join rally to ‘Save the Newcastle Rail’ tomorrow
Greens NSW MP and Spokesperson for Transport, Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, will address a public rally tomorrow (Wednesday 27/5) outside NSW Parliament House. The rally is supported also supported by Newcastle Greens Councillor, Michael Osborne. The rally will call on the Transport Minister to cancel her decision to truncate the Newcastle rail line and to support real public transport options for Newcastle. The rally will begin at 12:00pm.

Dr Faruqi, who is a civil engineer and holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering, has been a consistent supporter of public transport and of the rail line to the heart of the Newcastle CBD.

Dr Faruqi said: “The community are angry that the government has provided no evidence why they are ripping up their precious railway line. Furthermore, despite the rhetoric, the Government has never genuinely consulted the community about this decision.

“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”, she concluded.

Newcastle Greens Councillor Michael Osborn who is a civil engineer and holds a Masters of Environmental Studies and has been on Newcastle City Council for 10 years, stated “Newcastle needs a functioning transport system that encourages people to use public transport – the plan to truncate the rail line will do the exact opposite.

“The Transport Minister needs to come to Newcastle and demonstrate how the Government intends to improve Newcastle’s public transport”, he concluded.

Contact: Matt Hilton 0423 106 247

Dr Faruqi’s previous media releases on the Newcastle Rail Line:
http://www.mehreenfaruqi.org.au/?s=newcastle+rail+line&submit=

Dr Faruqi’s opinion piece on Newcastle Rail: http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2243645/opinion-heavy-rail-removal-serves-precious-few/?cs=308%20#sthash.9TVGiX5X.dpuf

Online Version: http://www.mehreenfaruqi.org.au/greens-mp-to-join-rally-to-save-the-newcastle-rail-tomorrow/

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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