Pro-rail advocates say the weekend’s state election showed that most Hunter voters opposed the government’s transport plan for Newcastle.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Labor won almost every Hunter seat on Saturday, except the Upper Hunter, which the National Party narrowly retained.
Premier Mike Baird, Planning Minister Pru Goward and Transport Minister and Minister for the Hunter Gladys Berejiklian each said publicly before the election that Saturday’s vote would be a referendum on the government’s plan to remove the heavy rail line into Newcastle CBD.
Given the election results, Maitland MP elect Jenny Aitchison said the government should listen to Hunter voters.
She said the rail cut was one of the most commonly raised issues by Maitland voters at polling places on Saturday.
“We will take the fight right up to them,” Ms Aitchison said.
“If the Baird government is going to ignore the Hunter community, then that’s a disgrace. It’s just wrong.”
The Supreme Court ruled in December that the government needed an act of Parliament to remove the heavy rail line.
Despite this, the government has begun to remove rail infrastructure between Wickham and Newcastle stations.
The decision is being appealed and a hearing will be held in July.
The Christian Democratic Party is likely to hold the balance of power in the upper house, which the government needs on side to get an act of Parliament.
But CDP leader Reverend Fred Nile chaired a parliamentary inquiry that recently recommended the line be re-opened and heavy rail services restored immediately.
Save Our Rail president Joan Dawson said Saturday’s election was a strong message to the government from Hunter voters.
“The people of this region are objecting to a Liberal/National Party government that has ridden roughshod over their needs, in particular regarding transport and planning,” she said.
“They are objecting to improper processes in decision-making, to developer-driven planning and to a government that has not been transparent in making major decisions.”
