Report on rail not balanced

Save Our Rail is preparing a submission for the parliamentary select committee that will investigate the state government’s planning decisions, after allegations of corruption against a number of Hunter MPs surfaced recently.

Maitland Save Our Rail president Kim Cross said a key argument in the submission would be that a study on the redevelopment of Newcastle, prepared for the former Labor government in 2009, did not investigate positive aspects of retaining the line into the CBD.

She said Save Our Rail believed the decision to cut the rail was flawed.

The group has long advocated for the rail to remain in place to allow commuters, particularly from parts of the Hunter outside Newcastle, to easily access services and attractions, such as doctors and beaches, without having to rely on personal transport.

“The Hunter Development Corporation Report of May, 2009, is the foundation for the government’s rail closure decision, yet no assessment of the economic and social benefits of the retention of the rail line into Newcastle station was undertaken in the preparation of the report,” Ms Cross said.

Christian Democratic Party MLC Reverend Fred Nile will chair the select committee of Greens, Labor and Coalition representatives, which will release its findings before the March election.

It will hold public hearings and a forum in Newcastle and Sydney in November.

Reverend Nile said the committee had identified the rail issue as a decision that needed to be investigated.

“The committee is keen to ensure the inquiry engages with stakeholders and encourages submissions from interested groups, organisations and individuals,” he said.

Visit www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/newcastleplanning to make a public submission to the select committee by October 24.

For more information phone 9230 3528.

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