Protests to save country rail

Ken Turner, Lismore

Around 1000 people rallied at the Lismore railway station on April 26 to protest state government plans to close the Casino-Murwillumbah XPT rail link on May 17.

Protesters wore red to the rally to symbolise that the community was seeing red over the issue. Community members voiced their anger at the NSW Labor government's plan to axe the service, after Premier Bob Carr's earlier promise to retain the rail line until December 2004, when a review would be conducted.

On April 25 it was also revealed that at least 30 CountryLink travel centres around the state would be shut, resulting in the loss of 400 jobs.

Speakers criticised the proposed bus link alternative as inadequate, highlighting the difficulties faced by elderly and disabled people in using buses; the loss of jobs for CountryLink rail staff; and the increased traffic on local roads that would result from the closure of the rail service.

Protesters called for an immediate reversal of the decision while a full review of the service is carried out. Rather than closure, there is strong community support for an extension of the line from Murwillumbah to Coolangatta to link with the Queensland rail service, which is being extended to the border.

Iggy Kim reports from Sydney that 200 people rallied at Circular Quay on April 29 to protest the rail cuts, including CountryLink workers on a 12-hour stoppage. Many trained in from rural areas to participate. The rally was organised by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU).

The rally marched to the state transport ministry to hear speakers including Liberal, National and Greens members of the NSW parliament; RTBU state secretary Nick Lewocki; Les Hutchinson from Save Our Rail Newcastle; and a representative of the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association.

A four-person delegation went into the ministry to meet transport minister Michael Costa. Others went to state parliament to meet with upper house members about the Casino-Murwillumbah service.

From Green Left Weekly, May 5, 2004.

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From GLW issue 581