Dear Rail supporter,

We are in receipt of new information about the government plans to introduce an amendment to the Transport Administration Act before the end of this month.  We learn that the amendment will include a) transferring power for the minister to approve future railway closures and tearing up existing regional rail lines(non-operational) b) designating non-operational rail lines in regional NSW as ‘recreational’ -not transport. 

The first will potentially remove the parliamentary oversight of any future rail line closures to build rail trails. It will not be in the public interest.

The second designation is not acceptable to supporters of regional rail lines like us who desire their renewal as in Victoria(Victorian fgovernment is spending over 4 billions for the purpose).  Existing rail lines need to be dedicated for transport -not  for rail trails and/or recreational purposes.

Northern rail line from Armidale to Wallangarra (Queensland border) is such an important main rail line built on higher grounds to withstand potential floods to be designated   for recreational purposes only.  We understand that some MPs will propose  changes to the government amendment e.g. Greens.  We need to encourage others to do the same e.g. Labor

We hope that parties like Labor,Greens,Shooters, Fishers and Farmers will oppose the conversion of regional rail lines to rail trails without proper parliamentary oversight. The parliament needs to be informed about such actions via specific amendments to the Transport Administration Act  on a case by case basis (current practice) before the relevant minister makes a decision -not after. Much more beneficial way is to operate tourist trains on regional rail lines that can appeal to a broader demographic compared to rail trails that attract cyclists only.  In the New England there is a company that wants to do exactly this.

We understand that recently  a proposal' prepared by TFNSW went to the NSW cabinet.  The aim  was to effect:
"A one off amendment to the Transport Administration Act that allows Minister to remove track with or without closing the line – equivalent with Greater Metropolitan Region".

This may have been either approved as it is or further revisions effected. In either case, the intent of TFNSW and by implication the government is clear. The proposal by TFNSW is based on one rail trail case only i.e.Rosewood to Tumbarumba Rail Trail.  Some of the facts in the proposal to justify rail trails are also contestable e.g. Unity - Reducing social isolation (particularly amongst the elderly)

Given the controversial nature of the NSW government policy on regional rail lines (non-operational) and the consequences of proposed amendment for maintaining public interest and parliamentary oversight, we sincerely hope that partiers in the opposition will refer the forthcoming amendment to a parliamentary inquiry for further investigation and recommendations to ensure future train services for regional communities are guaranteed!

You can also write to members of Legislative Asembly and Legislative Council, especially shadow ministers, expressing your views.  Email addresses of parliamentarians are available from the following link:

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