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North coast and Hunter locals join Sydney protest - pressure on Govt to scrap rail sell off plan
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon today joined with community groups, unions and farmers outside the NSW parliament to oppose the state government's so-called "rail trail" legislation that would allow rail lines to be closed and sold off to developers.
"Locals travelled from the NSW North Coast and the Hunter today to
defend their local rail corridors," said Ms Rhiannon.
"Pressure is mounting on the government to drop its so called 'rail
trail' legislation.
"Rail, Tram and Bus Union secretary Nick Lewocki addressed the crowd
along with representatives from transport and environment groups, the
Greens and the Coalition.
"If this bill becomes law, developers will be lining up to get a slice
of the north coast rail corridor and the Hunter rail corridor into
Newcastle CBD and in many other places.
"Under pressure today, the Transport Minister David Campbell put
forward amendments to the government's own bill.
"The Minister said the amended will only allow the removable of rail
lines that have been disused for over 15 years.
"The Greens are strongly opposed to the rail sell-off bill and to the
proposed amendments.
"The government is being deceptive about its intentions. It is already
possible to create rail trails in NSW. Many exist in the Hunter and an
Act of parliament was not needed for them to be created.
"The premise of the legislation is fundamentally flawed and should be
scrapped.
"The bill is currently being debated in the NSW Legislative Assembly.
"The Green will oppose the bill in the Upper House," said Ms Rhiannon.
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