RICHARD Rowe, October 24, asks whether I, as Greens candidate for Northern Tablelands, “want to rip up the Northern rail line”.
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The answer is no.
Due to past decisions of Coalition and Labor governments, the Great Northern Line is today a wasted and deteriorating asset.
Northern Tablelands residents are entitled to insist that a worthwhile, economically beneficial and environmentally sustainable purpose be found for this public land corridor.
That is why I believe a rail trail built in accordance with Greens policies would be good for our region.
The Greens' position is to consider rail trails on a case-by-case basis with extensive community consultation and future public transport needs in mind.
Wherever possible we should place priority on reinstating regional rail services and building rail trails alongside them.
So like the other candidates in the 2015 NSW election, I am waiting to read a long-promised report from the NSW Transport Department which will set out the options for the future of rail in the Northern Tablelands.
Until then, as Greens candidate the only thing I “must” do is listen to Northern Tablelands residents' views about many concerns in our region including the future of TAFE, agriculture, Coal Seam Gas, healthcare, aged care, forestry and transport.
Mercurius Goldstein
Northern Tablelands Greens Candidate
