Dubbo Transport Forum Verdict - Get Freight Back On Rails
When a train driver at a transport forum in Dubbo last night told me for the first time that he could remember the Dubbo rail freight yard was empty this week I knew we had picked the right centre in western NSW to launch the Greens sustainable transport plan.
I joined Greens candidates Matt Parmeter for Parkes and Jeremy Buckingham for Calare in Dubbo to launch our policy and also to attend a transport forum organised by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union as part of their Let's Fix It campaign.
The local rail workers who attended last night's meeting described to me a once thriving rail town they use to live in. Ten years ago Dubbo had 99 train drivers. These days there are nine. And there are strong rumours that the XPT service will stop at Orange.
Talking to locals after the forum most felt that the Keneally government would not end the Dubbo XPT service. But there was a real fear that would be a priority of an O'Farrell government.
The panel members were very interesting. Roger Fletcher, managing director with the Fletcher Group of companies, was a strong backer of more rail services speaking of his frustration with government inaction in upgrading the lines and services.
Alex Claassens, RTBU NSW secretary outlined the union's work for more freight on rail. They are calling for legislation to require all dangerous goods to be moved by rail.
The final comment for the night had to go to the rail worker who described how tracks between Dubbo and Conamble are quite literally from the 1800s. There is a piece of rail track dated 1878 and a rail plate connected the tracks dated 1901.
Labor and the Coalition parties in recent decades have dismantled directly or through neglect the great legacy our forebears provided this state with a world class rail network. My visit to Dubbo gave me the resolve the Greens sustainable transport plan will be a priority for our party in the federal and state election campaigns.
