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Stop Rail Sell Off
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filed under:
Transport
The Rees government has new legislation that will pave the way for the closure and sell off of rail lines and associated land to developers, without scrutiny.
The Transport Administration Amendment (Rail Trails) Bill 2009 removes the need to consult parliament. If passed it would allow the removal of the lines with the stroke of a pen. See Minister's 2R speech in hansard. The Greens have campaigned for many years for improved bicycle infrastructure including rail trails. The Government's new laws have wider implications that building rail trails. They will allow viable public rail corridors across the state to be sold off, such as the Newcastle rail line and the Casino to Murwillumbah line. Developed without community consultation, these laws are a gift to developers and a kick in the teeth for our future rail network. The move to sell off rail lines is irresponsible in an age of climate change and peak oil. The government should be building a bigger rail network, including rehabilitating and upgrading disused lines, not shutting them down. Legislation sets the scene for a fire sale to developers Under questioning from the Greens in budget estimates in September, the Minister for Transport David Campbell would not rule out the sale of land in rail corridors to developers. The Minister admitted, ''The bill would make provision that, after a community debate, land associated with RailCorp and corridors may be sold." Mr Campbell said unused stations could be sold or leased and turned into bed and breakfast-style accommodation, restaurants and coffee shops. Read the exchange between Greens MP Sylvia Hale and Roads Minister David Campbell in Budget Estimates. Rail Trail Green WashThe government says this legislation has been prompted by community requests to turn disused rail lines into bicycle, walking and horse-riding tracks. While the Greens support a big increase in funding for cycleway and pedestrian infrastructure, we believe there is no need to close rail lines and sell off associated land to do it. The government's 'rail trail' talk is cover for its real objective: to close down rail lines, sell off associated land to developers and pocket the cash. Rail lines should be retained and restored. The government must also provide adequate funding for cycleway and pedestrian infrastructure, so its existence is not dependent on lines being ripped up. The government's attempt to justify this dangerous piece of legislation by making out it is all about promoting cycling and pedestrian infrastructure is laughable. Cycling and pedestrian infrastructure in NSW is chronically underfunded. In 2005 the NSW government slashed bike and pedestrian funding by nearly two-thirds of what it was. It has not been restored and a promised new bike plan for NSW is overdue. Threats to regional railThe new laws will allow the government to more rapidly close down rural rail branch lines that help keep trucks off local roads in country areas. To date, the government has neglected these lines and sometimes even ripping them up illegally, forcing some services to be suspended. This bill is particularly bad news for communities in Newcastle and Northern NSW that are fighting for their rail services.
Mr David Campbell The Premier Nathan Rees thepremier@www.nsw.gov.au
Contact these politicians to urge them to vote against the bill: Robert Brown Shooters Party 9230 3059, robert.brown@parliament.nsw.gov.au Roy Smith Shooters Party 9230 2850 roy.smith@parliament.nsw.gov.au Rev Fred Nile Christian Democrats 9230 2478 f.nile@parliament.nsw.gov.au
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A century ago MPs had the vision to pass a law to provide legal protection for our rail tracks. This has meant the closure of railway lines can only proceed by an Act of Parliament, requiring debate in parliament.
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