The Shooters and Fishers Party representatives appear to have the power to determine whether the City of Newcastle becomes an awkward destination like Merewether.
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The government has a bill ready for the Upper House to change the law and enable the government to rip up the rail track to Newcastle.
The government has, at great taxpayer expense, challenged the need for this bill in court and is now preempting the court decision by putting forward that bill.
Losing a direct link to Newcastle reduces the options of many in the Upper Hunter, be it the choice of going to the Newcastle specialist or not, taking a class or a group to the beach or Stockton for the day, easy access to the new uni campus and law courts, now east of where the train stops at Hamilton and later Wickham.
There is no logic to this with respect to public transport, a mass carrier of people to our regional city.
Developers would like the rail land, have put $60 million to the government to help them decide what needs doing, and Labor and the cross benches have joined forces to oppose the destruction of the rail.
At this point in time the Shooters and Fishers will allow the tracks to be ripped up if light rail replaces it on the same corridor, not through Hunter Street as the government proposes.
It is one of those moments in history where you can see the branch in consequences for the future.
Do we, in the Upper Hunter retain direct access to the city and beaches with improved transport infrastructure of Newcastle (e.g. light rail to the beaches and airport) or can we take a train to the edge, meet the extra time delay and expense or not bother and just stay home?
Think about this in terms of everyone that doesn’t drive or own a car, people with disabilities, groups etc.
I see it as a barrier which disables our community.
If you use the train you will appreciate what a fabulous service it was, being able to cloak gear at the station, break the journey from Sydney, visit the foreshore etc.
Please urgently email, write, call or visit your representative, Michael Johnsen and the Shooters and Fishers, Robert Brown and Robert Borsak explaining how significant this lifeline is to you or the people you know.
