During a visit to Maitland yesterday, new state Opposition Leader Luke Foley reiterated Labor’s commitment to re-establish heavy rail services into the Newcastle CBD if elected to government in March.

But, given work to remove electric train wires along the rail corridor from Wickham to Newcastle has begun, he could not say when it would be too late to reverse the damage.

“That’s why it is important that the government abides by the court’s decision and doesn’t tear down the infrastructure, because we want to make it possible for the rail line to be saved,” Mr Foley said.

“They ought to respect the court’s decision, let the people have their say in March.”

The government has started to remove rail corridor infrastructure, other than the train tracks, despite a Supreme Court ruling on Christmas Eve that an act of Parliament was needed before the line could be deconstructed.

Read more stories on the rail cut here

Government agency Hunter Development Corporation, which is expected to take possession of the corridor this month, has appealed the court’s decision and a directions hearing will be held in early March.

But an outcome of the appeal is not expected before the March 28 election.

Mr Foley’s visit to Maitland came only four days into his role as party leader.

He said Labor would be able to save the heavy rail line if the tracks were not removed, but could not identify a more specific point in the government’s work when it would become too late to save the infrastructure. 

“We’ll be doing everything possible to try to save the rail line,” Mr Foley said.

“We don’t want to see a point reached where everything is gone and it is impossible to reverse that. 

“That’s why we think it is important that the government respects the court’s decision and leaves the infrastructure in place.”