Future Transport Needs

27 May 2008

A delegation from Save Our Rail presented our public transport improvement plan to representatives of Transport Minister Watkins. Also attending was Member for Newcastle, Jodi McKay, who supported our plan.

Features of this proposal include the provision of relatively inexpensive options:

  • Two “at grade” pedestrian crossings in Inner Newcastle
  • Additional stations and parking improvement in Maitland
  • Examination of unrealised potential at Newcastle Station

Download the entire document "Sustainable Transport in an Urban Environment: the Need for Transport Integration in Newcastle":

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Newcastle Rail Line Update

November 2006

Save Our Rail representatives met with the Premier's Department IIG (Infrastructure Implementation Group) to be advised of progress since Mr Iemma's announcement that the rail would be retained to Newcastle Station.

Save Our Rail is concerned that this will not actually be the outcome because of an intention to remove electrification from the Newcastle line.

We were given brochures outlining some improvements between Hamilton and Newcastle, as follows:

  • Extend platforms at Hamilton, Wickham and Civic Stations
  • Signalling improvements
  • Level crossing upgrades at Railway Street, Stewart Ave and Merewether Street
  • Improve traffic intersections at Stewart Ave/Hunter Street and Stewart Ave/ King Street
  • Landscaping and fencing improvement

Despite these gains we have great concerns because:

  • No additional crossing is planned. We had asked for a Steel Street pedestrian crossing and a pedestrian and vehicle crossing at Worth Place.
  • The Government has allocated $500,000 to explore the Hunter Business Chamber proposal to remove the electric line from Newcastle!

This would cause disadvantage to all commuters catching the train between Newcastle and Sydney, Central Coast or Lake Macquarie. Passengers would be re-routed to Warabrook to change trains to the Hunter Line diesel service. The time penalty would be at least half an hour, apart from the inconvenience of the movement from one train to another. Overcrowding on the smaller diesel trains is another likely result.

Loss of patronage would result in the line being closed after all.


Have We Saved Newcastle Rail? NOT YET!

Updated 9th May 2006

The State Government is now considering cutting the electric service to Newcastle, threatening the viability of the whole Lower Hunter transport system.

This would disadvantage all passengers through:

  • inconvenience
  • delay
  • overcrowding on the Hunter Line
  • loss of direct link to Newcastle from Sydney, Central Coast and Lake Macquarie, including the proposed Glendale Station.

It would ultimately lead to the closure of the line through loss of patronage.

THE DIRECT ELECTRIC SERVICE TO NEWCASTLE STATION MUST BE RETAINED.

With this in mind, Save Our Rail has a positive plan for the improving the line:

Upgrade:

  • Signalling - automatic, electronic rail signals, to be integrated with traffic signals.
  • Ticketing - integrated ticketing on public transport is long overdue.
  • Newcastle Station Access - open platforms to the foreshore, reopen western end to Bolton Street.
  • Civic Station Concourse - pedestrian concourse at Civic, connecting Civic and Cultural Precinct.
  • Level Crossings - to "urban" standard (currently "semi-rural" standard).

Provide:

  • Worth Place Crossing - new level crossing for pedestrians and motorists.
  • Stewart Avenue Rail Overpass - eliminate level crossing.
  • Glendale Interchange - electric rail service for Cardiff Industrial Estate (the Hunter's largest employment zone) and Glendale retail centre.
  • Park and Ride - car parking outside of Newcastle CBD.
  • Bicycle Facilities - encourage another type of park and ride.

Enhance:

  • Landscaping - I'm sure the Backyard Blitz team could improve on what's there now.
  • Replace Dingo Fence - with modern, attractive tubular metal fencing.
  • Slim Gantries - Attractive gantries with slim poles as at Wahroonga.

Promote:

  • Tourism - day trips, backpacker use.
  • Commuter Use - employer co-operation to encourage public transport use, freeing up CBD parking; employee salary-sacrifice of public transport travel passes. This on top of the "free" hip-pocket commuter promotion from $1.50 a litre petrol prices

Premier's Taskforce Report

Added 20th March 2006

Read the recommendations and the full report of the Premier's Taskforce in this article


"Rail line will be staying" : NSW Premier

21st February 2006 - SOR Media Release

  • Save Our Rail welcomes the NSW Government decision to retain rail services to Newcastle.
  • We will be constructively engaging in discussions with the government regarding the $20 million.
  • We do not accept the Chamber of Commerce model as workable because of major technical flaws and concern over the proposed change of mode which would impact on less mobile passengers.
  • Save Our Rail is planning alternatives for the use of the $20 million which could involve additional crossings, spanning Stewart Ave, and programs of enhancement and access to Newcastle Station.

Keep the Rail and Remove the Barrier

You don't need to remove the rail or reduce rail services to remove the "railway barrier".

  • Landscaping can beautify the rail corridor.
  • New pedestrian-friendly level crossings, in addition to replacing the rail overpasses removed in previous years, can allow for easy access.
  • Investment in signalling can reduce delays endured by motorists by two-thirds, especially the frustration of being stopped at a boom gate when no train is crossing the road.
  
Landscaped Railway Corridor
(click image to enlarge)
   
Pedestrian Level Crossing
(click image to enlarge)
  


You Can Help

SOR Lower Hunter meet at 5.30 PM on the first Wednesday of each month at Hamilton Station Hotel (no meeting in January).

SOR Maitland meet 7.00 PM on the second Wednesday of each month at St. Peters Church Hall East Maitland.

Find out more ways you can help save the Newcastle rail line from closure.


About Save Our Rail

Save Our Rail NSW Inc. has been involved in a continuous campaign to raise support for the Newcastle rail service that the State Government plans to cut. We have organised a number of public meetings, rallies and protests that demonstrate the overwhelming support for the maintenance and improvement of the Newcastle Service as essential to the life of the region. Maintaining and improving Lower Hunter public transport benefits everyone!


16th July 2008
The 2008 President's Report is now available.


18th January 2007
Save Our Rail gave a brief transport presentation to the Hunter Business Chamber, a copy of which is available for download in this article.


Rail Upgrade Brochures
Find out about completed Newcastle rail corridor improvements at the NSW Premier's department web site.


29th March 2006
Our presentation "Newcastle Rail Improvements for the Hunter", plus our critical review of the Chamber's proposal, are available for download in this article.


19th February 2006
Download Professor Graham Currie's full report and also the presentation used during his recent address to Newcastle City Council. He slammed the reports used to recommend the closure of the Newcastle rail line.

The files are available for download in this article.


Next SOR Meetings
5.30 PM, first Wednesday of each month at Hamilton Station Hotel

7.00 PM, second Wednesday of each month at St. Peters Church Hall East Maitland


Pictures of proposals for Newcastle, Civic, and Hamilton Stations can be found on the Transport Plan page.