Dear Mike, Pru and Gladys,
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In the lead-up to Saturday’s election, all of you said that the election would, in essence, be a referendum on your plan to cut heavy rail into Newcastle CBD.
Guess what?
Your plan didn’t go down too well. The voters have spoken and your scheme to cut the heavy rail line linking Maitland to Newcastle’s CBD received a big thumbs down.
Our MP-elect Jenny Aitchison, who was out and about during Saturday’s election, said the rail cut was one of the most commonly raised issues at Maitland polling places.
The Mercury also considers it a vital issue, which is why we’ve joined with our sister papers in Singleton, Cessnock, Muswellbrook, Dungog and Scone to campaign for many months against your planned cut.
Please note: It’s not just Lower Hunter voters who find your plans a bit off. According to the tally board, the majority in Port Stephens, Newcastle, Wallsend, Charlestown and Swansea don’t think there’s much in it for them, either.
So, what will you do now?
You thumbed your nose at the Supreme Court ruling in December that said you needed an act of Parliament to remove the line.
Fair enough – you didn’t remove the tracks.
But you covered them with bitumen and grass and removed plenty of other bits. In our opinion, that’s pretty grubby.
You were conveniently deaf to the parliamentary inquiry recommendation that the line be reopened and heavy rail services restored immediately.
Not surprisingly, your arrogance led Hunter voters to abandon you in droves.
What will it take to make you listen to those you are meant to represent?