VOICE of BYRON regular, Stephen Booth, highlights the massive problems getting into Byron Bay, more than two months before the December school holidays begin.
Stephen says, “I wonder if we shouldn’t consider renaming the Bay.
Suggestions could include “Impenetrable Bay” and “Gridlock Bay”.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”Servo”]
“I couldn’t even get into the roundabout to attempt to turn right so I might be able to enter town from the south via St Helena or Bangalow.
“I then drove along the highway almost to Newrybar, did a U-turn, returned to Bangalow, then took the back road to emerge at the Red Devils Sports Ground. And this is what it looked like later at Red Devils (below).
COMMENT: Considering it’s mid-week and not school holidays, people could be forgiven for wondering how difficult accessing the Bay might become much closer to Christmas.
The same happened & happens for the Trainlink bus passengers – so what with traffic holdups all the way, its a wonder the bus gets there in time to meet the trains at Casino. This is what has been said for years, get the trains back & give everybody a chance to enjoy a train ride, get out of the traffic. Actually, many pro-train investigations, Gov Committees etc all have said the C-M should not have been closed & should have been linked to Qld.
I have documented so many pro-train facts from Government Committees, Inquiries – the launch at Cabarita Headland 2nd March 2016 that The Northern Region is the fastest growing region outside Sydney but we are told say, no – the bike track is the greatest!
Lismore a City but devoid of a train service! We need that connection across the area from Casino to the coast & Murwillumbah & as Hon Jenny Gardiner MLC said: connect to QLD!
No thought of all the people who cannot use buses & don’t want to go on a bus. Buses are still on roads!! Don Page & Thomas George stated the facts in Parliament why our C-M train service being cut was wrong.
*Transport Planning Division of the Dept of the Dept of Infrastructure, Planning & Natural Resources; Division of the Dept of Infrastructure, Planning & Natural Resources.
The Hon Jenny Gardiner MLC National Party was the Chair of – DIPNR Committee re Closure C-M Rail 2004… Concerns that the replacement coach service is unsuitable for use by the transport disadvantaged, particularly the old & infirm, is less safe, has an adverse impact on the region’s roads & the environment, & has had an adverse economic impact on some businesses. unquote. The Committee notes that Price Waterhouse Coopers found a lower cost commuter service on the C-M line would be viable. The Committee supports this position, & calls for the NSW Gov to introduce a lower cost commuter service on the C-M line, providing a daily commuter service for intra-regional travel, & also a connection at Casino to the XPT services between Sydney & Brisbane. To assist in funding this new commuter service, the Committee recommends that the NSW Gov accept the Commonwealth Gov’s offer of funding assistance. The Committee also believes that the Gov should be willing to redirect saving from the Au Rail Track Corp Agreement to the C-M line. The Committee also acknowledges calls for an extension of the C-M line INTO SOUTH-EAST QLD, to join with the proposed south-east QLD RAILWAY LINE TO COOLANGATTA AIRPORT. Given the INCREASING POPULATION & TOURIST POTENTIAL OF THE NORTHERN RIVERS REGION.
*Inquiry hears North Coast rail line must reopen:
Chris Calcino | 11th Aug 2016
A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry has heard the Murwillumbah-Casino rail line must be reopened to offset the North Coast’s regional transport disadvantage.
👉 Robin Spragg, a former Tweed Shire Council officer in charge of local transport for seniors, said substituting trains for a coach service in 2004 was a major backward step.
“Many older people cannot get into coaches, and once in they cannot move around, stretch their legs, get to a toilet or to a buffet,” she said.
“The coaches were sold as serving more stops en route; however these stops amount to a bus stop, without the services, information, safety and comfort that comes from a railway station.
“The patronage of the services immediately declined.
*Milton Trott argued the rail closure had been a failed experiment in penny-pinching, and the time was right for the government to make amends.
“I can see Casino becoming a rail transport hub for passenger rail. It’s already becoming a freight hub,” Mr Trott said. 👈
“There is room near the intersection of the Sydney-Brisbane line where it meets the branch line to build the necessary infrastructure to stable rolling stock for a localised railcar service. 👈
“At the other end at Murwillumbah, the same can be constructed there.
“Not only will this enterprise call for local employees to staff the passenger rail service, it 👈 will provide a raft of allied hospitality business opportunities for the towns.” Jillian Spring
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The workings of our council has a lot to be desired.
Imagine how businesses are affected by people not being able to get in!
I glad the elements train will be in time for chrismas even if only from byron town centre to sunrise beach