The first day of NSW parliament this year was met with a strong protest against the announced shortening of the heavy rail line to Newcastle.
Organised by Save Our Rail, a large contingent boarded the 8:03am express from Newcastle Station. Supporters saw them off, while others hopped on at outer stations.
Leaflets were distributed and petitions were signed as activists explained to the other passengers what the state government was proposing. The media were regularly on the mobile phone to Save Our Rail president Joan Dawson.
Supporters of public transport and members of the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), with their colourful banners, were already occupying the footpath outside the parliament.
Greens MLC David Shoebridge said the government was planning to spend billions on rail and light rail projects in Sydney but would gut the public transport centre of Newcastle to appease developers.
RTBU bus division president Gary Way said the union stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of the Hunter region.
NSW Teachers Federation spokesperson Wayne Webber said that previous governments, including Labor, were wrong about this. “We need to get this government to change its mind as [it is] just as wrong now.”
Labor’s transport spokesperson Penny Sharpe and Newcastle Greens member John Sutton urged people to make submissions during the short consultation process.
Greg Piper, independent member for Lake Macquarie, said it begs belief to consider removing heavy rail into Newcastle, because it will not solve Newcastle’s problems.
Clayton Barr, Labor member for Cessnock, reported that people still wanted the rail line back to Cessnock even though it was ripped out 30 years ago.
Zane Alcorn, a Save Our Rail and Socialist Alliance member, said the Liberal Party stooges making this decision knew nothing about the impact. He asked whether the politicians knew that the university is planning for new faculties directly opposite the Civic Station that will be cut.
Greens MLC John Kaye said it was a test case for the whole of NSW. If the developers succeed in Newcastle, they will be after the rest of NSW.
Doug Lithgow, Parks and Playgrounds Movement, said Newcastle Station was unique and needed to be improved not removed.
Other speakers included Maitland Greens member Jan Davis and members of the Hunter Transport Alliance and Newcastle Transport for Business.
It is no coincidence that the targeted section of rail line happens to run near the Hunter River — or that the newly elected mayor of Newcastle is a developer.
It is no coincidence that this decision follows immediately after the community campaign to save the iconic fig trees of the Civic precinct was lost — or that the building industry of Newcastle is in a slump.
It is time for all supporters of public transport to get behind Save Our Rail’s decades-long fight to retain heavy rail services to Newcastle.
