A City Divided - Is Newcastle being Railroaded?

 

By Dino Cesta - 27 December  2014

THE NEWCASTLE HERALD - Letter To The Editor

 

 

Newcastle is a city divided. We have not seen such division and passion surrounding the debate over the truncation of the Newcastle rail line since the chainsawing of the Laman Street fig trees.

 

It seems unfathomable to think that business and government investment in the spiritual heart of Newcastle is predicated on castrating a rail line. Are the people of Newcastle being held to ransom over the future of our City? 

 

Even the Nile led Committee review into the planning process have raised grave concerns over the ‘flawed cost benefit analysis’, the lack of a business case in truncating the rail line, the lack of consideration of alternative solutions, and inadequate consultation with the broader community.

 

What is even more bewildering is ceasing a perfectly operational rail line without certainty as to when the commencement and completion of the light rail will occur. In the meantime, a deficient public transport workaround will further disadvantage and inconvenience commuters from not just the city of Newcastle but also the Hunter region.

 

Injunction or no injunction, it is not about fearing change, or change for change sake, but ensuring the right change is made which benefits all of Newcastle, not just political mates and developers.