The Mayor of Newcastle, adds that “cycleways and footpaths will be separated from traffic to keep people safe and help activate Hunter Street”. 

There are some positives in this vision for the communities of Newcastle and the Hunter.

An expanded light rail network servicing the suburbs and major activity centres would be more viable and would make a greater contribution to Newcastle's public transport infrastructure and services.

However, the current state government light rail proposal doesn't even compensate for our lost intercity and regional train services.

Unfortunately, this proposal has all the attributes of yet another policy thought-bubble, that perpetuates all the flaws (lack of genuine consultation, rigorous evidence, and strategic context) that have created the disaster that is Newcastle's current public transport system.

This system has been so run down by successive state governments that the current one (whose own record is appalling) has officially given up on it and is trying to flog it off.

Elements of this proposal may be worth considering, but it would be highly irresponsible to endorse it in its current, clearly flawed, state.

For us in Maitland, we wonder how it will help us access those places in Newcastle we need to visit.

All we know at present is that public transport to and from Newcastle is tiring, takes longer and is no longer easy.

The square arch in The Levee will not be in keeping with the heritage of Maitland.

Dick Smith building got slammed by Maitland Council for painting it a yellow colour, and not a heritage colour.