Fred Nile’s Parliamentary Committee into the planning process in Newcastle has tabled a report saying the truncation of the rail line into Newcastle should not go ahead on Boxing Day.
“The committee has issued this early report due to the New South Wales Government’s decision to truncate the electric railway during the Christmas holidays,” said Fred Nile.
“The decision to truncate the rail line was based upon flawed cost-benefit analysis and we have not seen any other business case to support the truncation. Likewise, the decision to construct the light rail was made without full consideration of alternative options,” he said.
The committee has recommended that no rail infrastructure be removed until there is a peer-reviewed report into the social,economic and environmental impacts of the removal.
Reverend Nile added, “We are also perplexed by the government’s decision to truncate the heavy rail line on Boxing Day 2014 given that the construction of the light rail is not expected to commence until late 2015 and there is no defined completion date. If truncation of the rail line does proceed, the NSW Government should postpone the date of truncation at least until construction of the light rail service commences.”
The committee’s final report is due to be published on February 27.
The Greens have weighed-in saying the decision to cut the rail line has no credibility.
“With just over a week to go until the Government plans to cut the Newcastle rail line, this parliamentary report reaffirms that there is absolutely no basis or evidence underlying this decision.
“The committee report has confirmed what the community has been saying for some time, that there is absolutely no public transport case for cutting rail services into the heart of the city and that there is no credible cost benefit analysis or business case.
“With public transport experts, the community and the parliamentary committee deeply concerned about the ill-conceived decision to cut the line, the question is, for whom is Premier Baird cutting this line?
“It’s time for the Premier to get off his high horse, listen to the people of NSW and immediately reverse his decision to cut the Newcastle rail line.
“The Government has not been able to produce a shred of evidence in favour of cutting the line beyond empty one line statements– the people of Newcastle deserve better than to be treated with such contempt and be condemned to second rate public transport.
Committee Chairman Fred Nile MLC
