If they understand our true needs better than do all the shocked people only now finding out, they are not giving this away to me. 

Steamfest crowds around Newcastle Station demonstrated huge support for the rail to the beach city.  

But it is most crucial to our regions. 

Whether we take surfboards and bikes on the train, or stroll over to the beach for breakfast before shopping, we need this direct access, and we treasure it.  

Many retirees, strong folk and disabled, take trips along the 300km of tracks from Sydney to Scone, to do this. 

It is a great health kick, in the valleys where heart health is reported worst; the Hunter and Central Coast.

A half hour bus through the city streets from a point four or six minutes by train from our real destination, is evidently an extreme put off.  

So many people tell me they wouldn’t be back, ever, to Newcastle.     

It is a mental health issue already.   

Now, Newcastle is bounding with vitality again! 

As if cutting its artery out would help the businesses; how absurd.  

Ask the small business people; they are ropable. 

Rail brings customers. 

Newcastle would die without it, and everyone says so. 

The dud word ‘revitalisation’ has been pushed at us for decades; meanwhile, Newcastle bounded ahead itself, boosted by its working rail and the east shores. 

ICAC and the Inquiry give us hope.  

You can make the difference, with your letter labelled “Newcastle Rail” to the Inquiry by tomorrow.  

It wants to know what successive governments of all colours, did wrong. Easy.

We all know the main point but it needs writing down: we, from Sydney up to Scone and Dungog were under-informed, and not effectively consulted by governments.

The website for information is www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/newcastleplanning. 

The email to send your thoughts to is newcastleplanning@parliament.nsw.gov.au 

Phone for information if you wish to handwrite at this late day, is 9230 3528.

Label your letter ‘Newcastle Rail’, and keep a copy.

Hopefully the decision will reverse, and we will once again be able to look forward to our seaside and city days by train, next year and onwards.  

It depends on you.

Contact me, for information if you need it, on 6545 3005.