Tips for Writing Letters and Emails to elected Representatives

Defending our Great Northern Railway

People in the Northern Tablelands have many concerns about the possible closure of the railway line from Armidale to Glen Innes and onto Queensland to make way for a rail trail. Any closure flies in the face of one of the conditions that must be met to close the line – and that is “overwhelming community support”.

What can you do to defend the line?

If you wish to protect our Great Northern Railway, you must contact politicians urgently. Below is a list of concerns compiled by a wide range of community members that might assist you with your letter.

On the back is a list of relevant politicians. Contact at least four of these Ministers and Shadow Ministers, including your local member. By including additional contacts, you apply additional pressure which is exactly what we need to see success in our campaign.

What key points should your letter highlight?

·      No evidence of majority community member support for closing the line

·      Poor public transport north of Armidale marginalising regional communities

·      Lack of connection to SE Queensland, the fastest growing area of Australia

·      Rail a better investment of public money than rail trail which has a limited demographic

·      Little investigation of alternative tourist projects for the rail such as heritage trains or combined rail and trail

·      No convenient transport for the aged and people with mobility problems

·      Rail connects residents of Guyra, Glen Innes, Ben Lomond, Black Mountain to Armidale services

·      Rail trail business case built on comparisons with rail trails closer to iconic tourist venues such as wineries or close to major cities like Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide.

·      Lack of a thorough risk analysis for rail trail project

·      Safety concerns not been properly addressed

·      Increasing migration from city to regions – need investment in regional public infrastructure for future generations

·      Protection of our highways

·      Maintenance of rail trail a great burden on ratepayers

·      Trains take cars and trucks off the road - helping our carbon footprint

Politician Contacts

The Hon. Paul Toole, MP Minister for Regional NSW, Minister for Regional Transport
52 Martin Place SYDNEY NSW 2000

https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/ministers/nsw-deputy-premier and bathurst@@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Mr Christopher Minns, MP, Leader of the Opposition

Parliament House
Macquarie Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
leader.opposition@parliament.nsw.gov.au kogarah@parliament.nsw.gov.au

The Hon. Adam Marshall, MP

Suite 1 Ground Floor 175 Rusden Street

ARMIDALE NSW 2350

northerntablelands@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Hon. Stuart Laurence AYRES, MP Minister for Tourism – Deputy Leader of NSW Liberal Party

52 Martin Place SYDNEY NSW 2000   https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/ministers/minister-for-jobs-investment-tourism-and-western-sydney  penrith@parliament.nsw.gov.au

The Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP

Suite 17, Ground Floor
454-456 Peel Street, Tamworth NSW 2340

Barnaby.Joyce.MP@aph.gov.au

Ms Jenny Aitchison, MP, Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads ·

MP 2/12 Elgin Street MAITLAND NSW 2320

Jenny.Aitchison@countrylabor.com.au and maitland@parliament.nsw.gov.au

The Hon. John Graham, MLC, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council
Shadow Minister for Roads

Parliament House
Macquarie Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000 john.graham@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Ms Joanna Haylen, MP, Shadow Minister for Transport

299-301 Marrickville Road
MARRICKVILLE NSW 2204

summerhill@parliament.nsw.gov.au

The Hon. (Mick) Michael Stanley VEITCH, MLC Shadow Minister for Regional NSW

Parliament House
Macquarie Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000

mick.veitch@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Mr David Robert HARRIS, MP Shadow Minister for Investment and Tourism wyong@parliament.nsw.gov.au

The Hon. (Rob) Robert Gordon STOKES, Transport and Roads

52 Martin Place
SYDNEY NSW 2000

https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/ministers/minister-for-planning-and-public-spaces

Contacts of all Members-NSW Parliament can be found from the following link:

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/members/pages/all-members.aspx