The hopes of Maitland rail passengers hinge on an interim report on Newcastle planning processes that State Parliament will table this morning.
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The Wickham rail line truncation is among the planning processes under review.
The report is expected to call on the government to delay plans to cut the line on Boxing Day, a decision that has raised legal questions.
“It’s a complex question. What is [the definition of ] closing the railway line?” parliamentary inquiry committee member and former barrister David Shoebridge MLC said.
“It’s an issue troubling a few legal minds at the moment.”
Under the Transport Administration Act, the government needs Parliament’s authority to close the line.
It states that a rail line is closed if the land concerned is sold or otherwise disposed of or the railway lines and other works concerned are removed.
“Is it taking out the points, ending the services or physically ripping up the lines?” Mr Shoebridge asked.
Transport Minister Glady’s Berejiklian said the government would not back away from its commitment to Newcastle.
“The final plans for the corridor have not been determined and Newcastle will have the final say,” she said.
“At this stage, it is not believed an Act of Parliament will be required.”
The parliamentary inquiry’s initial findings are expected to highlight flaws in the state government’s decision to cut services from December 26.
The Mercury understands the parliamentary committee has sought to plug the gaps in the government’s analysis and outline a clear case for and against cutting the line.
Community groups have criticised the government for not conducting a cost-benefit analysis on the replacement trams.
“I hope that the people will read [the report] and clearly consider its findings, whether it mounts a strong case to cut the line,” Mr Shoebridge said.
“People will have to make the judgement call themselves.”
The inquiry was referred to Parliament on September 16 and the committee has received more than 400 submissions from the public across three hearings.
The interim report, at 100 pages long, is expected to recommend the government delay the truncation until after the March election.
“This is only the interim report and we will be very interested in the feedback because there’s considerably more work in front of us,” Mr Shoebridge said.