COUNCIL MAYORAL candidate, Alan Hunt, has claimed the ongoing indecision by the Greens on a world-class tourism project could end up costing the Byron Shire millions of dollars in revenue and hundreds of jobs.
Regional Development Australia (RDA) and the Northern Rivers Rail Trail Association (NRRT) have both publicly slammed Greens Mayor Simon Richardson’s non-commitment to the initiative.
Cr Richardson, along with Greens councilors Basil Cameron and Duncan Dey, voted against a motion to progress discussions with the Tweed Shire Council to extend their rail trail project through to Billinudgel.
The RDA today issued a press release saying the Byron leg of the corridor will likely be sold off if not used, while the NRRT has written to the Mayor pulling their support to work with the Shire because of a backflip to a previous commitment supporting the initiative.
Byron Shire Mayoral candidate Alan Hunter says the Greens are once again displaying their inability to grasp big picture projects and work for the best outcomes for the Shire.
“This is a window of opportunity that will soon be lost if we don’t act now and work with neighbouring councils to deliver a low impact, environmentally friendly proposal that will generate many new jobs,” Cr Hunter says.
“We’ve been procrastinating for far too long with short-sighted proposals such as putting trains back on tracks, however this is just not an option given the cost and ongoing maintenance.
“If elected Mayor I will immediately reopen dialogue with both the NRRT and the RDA to ensure we become an integral part of the project.”
In reply, Mayor Cr Simon Richardson explained his vote against the proposal to support a rail trail from Billinudgel to the Tweed was not based on opposition to the rail trail.
“This has already been stated publicly,” he said.
“Council is in caretaker mode”
“It was due to Council being in caretaker mode and it was inappropriate to make this decision without the community being aware of all the facts of what is, by any definition, a controversial matter.”
Cr Richardson said if it had been TOOT, instead of NRRT, with a resolution before Council for support at the last meeting of Council, he would have done the same.
“I understand that it can be difficult when you’ve held a particular vision for a long time to loosen the reins and work with others towards a shared outcome. Over time I hope those still finding it hard to shift their position will also come on board.”
Cr Hunt says the reported cost by engineering firm Arup to fix the existing track infrastructure to accommodate trains in the Shire is $950 million for the 136-kilometre stretch.
It will also cost tens-of-millions more each year to run it, not including the capital costs of diesel engines and carriages.
Cr Hunter says both the State and Federal Governments have indicated they support the Rail Trail as an appropriate use of the disused corridor.
“Our neighbouring Councils are in full support including the Tweed Council who have an application for $13 million to fund the northern section,” Cr Hunter says.
“Byron Shire is the only one holding it up, along with the opportunity to bring some much-needed funds into the Shire’s coffers to help fix things like roads and provide better sports fields.
“The RDA says if the Rail Trail does not proceed it is likely the corridor will be sold off – depriving the region of the opportunity to have one of the best Rail Trails in the world.
“For the sake of good governance Byron Shire residents need to consider their vote this Saturday very carefully, as a vote for the Greens means more indecision, more delay, and more lost opportunity for projects like the rail corridor.”
I refute what you say Alan and especially Don Page EX MP, Thomas George MP, who have ignored all the calls for a train service!! I do not take any notice of what Don has said as I have done extensive research on that ARUP STUDY & the assoc RIDER LEVETT BUCKNALL ‘costs’! You know I have documented evidence that ‘the people’s’ rail corridor/rail service should be kept and reopened forthwith! Repairs where necessary, the line to Casino from Lismore could be opened quickly, as you all know!! I have rung 2LM many times re our train service/s and as usual – ALWAYS FOR TRAINS!! Just recently, I had to leave & not hear the calls but I was emailed to say the response was very good !
I speak to young people, one young worker always says, Yes we need trains. How great that would be. Only this morning I spoke to him & I said keep talking trains – tell people what you need. I am totally fed up with the misinformation about the ‘best rail trail’ & totally ignored by people who do not seem to care! You travel on that terrible bus trip to Casino railway station! Shame on you all!! Trains are tourism but this is IGNORED HERE, TRAIN TOURISM IS PUSHED IN OTHER PLACES! Why not here?! The train was NOT LOOSING $$$. As I read in your Parliamentary Speech re “The C-M TRAIN SHOULD NOT BE STOPPED & you gave a lot of reasons why it should NOT BE STOPPED! The most vital issue was AND is, people!! Forcing them to travel on that disgusting bus trip to Casino is disgraceful !! Am I mad? Yes, I am mad & FED UP with the most atrocious, poor excuses & threats that we must have it changed into a bike track – read the RIDER LEVETT BUCHNALL COST REPORT! I speak to a lot of people and they want TRAINS!! Just this morning at Billinudgel, a person I had just met – said trains we should have!! Yes, bike tracks we need BUT NOT ON OUR RAIL LINE! Jillian Spring