Shadow Minister Media Releases
Shameless NSW Government Wants To Sell Off Rail Lands (15/09/2009)
The NSW Government is shortsighted and has no concept or vision about the future rail link between the Gold Coast and NSW said the Member for Ballina, Don Page.
“The fact the NSW Government is planning to introduce legislation that would allow for rail tracks and corridors to potentially be sold to developers is extremely concerning,” Mr Page said.
“As the law currently stands, no rail corridor or line can be closed or sold without specific legislation being passed to approve the changes,” he said.
“The Labor Government appears to be wanting to make it easier to sell off rail corridors,” he said.
“It’s been revealed that new legislation, which could be introduced as early as next week, would allow for rail tracks and corridors to be sold at the discretion of the Department of Lands,” Mr Page said.
“This is outrageous and I am extremely concerned about the implications this could have on the future of the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line.
“I am opposed to this, as is the Coalition, and we must protect the rail line and the rail corridor from shortsighted Labor ministers and Sydney bureaucrats,” Mr Page said.
“The Casino to Murwillumbah rail line was closed in 2003 by the Labor Government and the community has lobbied hard to have that decision reversed.
“The Queensland government is well advanced in its plans to extend its rail line to Coolangatta at the southern end of the Gold Coast whilst the NSW Labor Government continues to deny the benefits of that rail service continuing down into NSW.
“Instead of being allowed to fall into an overgrown state of disrepair, the line should be upgraded, and used for a commuter and light rail service linking towns and villages in the Northern Rivers.
“Plans should also be put in place to extend the line to the Queensland border.
“The potential for tourism and commuters is immense but for some reason the NSW Labor Government cannot see merit in any proposal,” Mr Page said.
“Northern Rivers residents, and indeed other communities in NSW have the right to be very worried.
“It’s no secret that this Rees Labor Government is broke and there’s no denying that some railway corridors, especially around Byron Bay, would be extremely valuable to developers,” Mr Page said.
“The NSW Government is trying to give itself the unfettered right to close or determine the future of rail lines,” he said.
“I am opposed to this, as is the Coalition, and we must protect the rail line and the rail corridor from shortsighted Labor ministers and Sydney bureaucrats,” Mr Page said.
