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Rail trails bill a disguise to close rail lines through NSW
Thursday 15 October 2009
Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon and Wagga Wagga Greens councillor Ray Goodlass have challenged Transport Minister David Campbell to come clean with the real motivations behind the government's proposed new rail trail bill, the Transport Administration Amendment (Rail Trails) Bill.
Wagga Wagga Councillor Ray Goodlass said: "Mr Campbell claims that
the proposed new laws are for rail trails but the detail of the bill
shows that the 'rail trail' legislation is a wolf in sheep's
clothing.
"The legislation as it stands would allow the government to rip up
and sell off freight and passenger lines throughout NSW to property
developers without any requirement that they are replaced by rail
trails.
"Mr Campbell needs to come clean. If this is a bill about the Wagga
Wagga - Tumbarumba rail line and the Tumut - Batlow rail line, then it
should be limited to these two lines.
"The Greens support rail trails but we cannot support legislation
that is more about selling off rail lines than supporting cycling and
local tourism*, said Mr Goodlass.
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said: "Mr Campbell's 'rail trail' talk
is cover for its real objective - to close down rail lines, sell off
land to developers and pocket the cash.
"Mr Campbell admitted in his second reading speech that the new law
would allow the closure and sell off of rail lines in instances where
there is no call for a rail trail.
"The Greens are getting advice on amendments that would limit this
bill to the Wagga Wagga - Tumbarumba rail line and the Tumut - Batlow
rail line.
"We want to ensure that these Riverina rail lines remain in public
hands as a public transport corridor to be used for either trains or
bicycles, as needs dictate.
"In the age of climate change the government should be breathing life
into NSW's rail network, not closing it down and flogging it off," Ms
Rhiannon said.
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