Link Australia by Rail and reopen the Sydney/Newcastle Railway Line

The Sydney/Newcastle railway line was closed on the 25th December 2014 although with a court injunction RailCorp has been prevented from removing the line.

The current line (a part of NSW colonial history) sits on a area that is proposed for redevelopment ONLY on condition that the line is removed. This deal will not benefit the people of NSW as it removes the ability to be able to move freight and it will be replaced with light rail which is inadequate for a transport link between two cities. Instead of removing the line I ask that the Government reconsider their decision and reopen the line.

Australia (and in particular NSW) would benefit more from a rail link between Brisbane and Melbourne. A link that runs from Brisbane to Newcastle, to Sydney, to Woollongong, to Melbourne would make freight and people movement easier and more effective. There is an existing line between Melbourne and Adelaide and the Adelaide Railway Station at Keswick is a hub connecting Melbourne, Perth and Darwin.

I ask that the Government invest in the line and work with other states to create a safe, efficient and profitable rail network for mainland Australia.