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":
 
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
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.
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Landscaped Railway Corridor
(click image to enlarge) |
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Pedestrian Level Crossing
(click image to enlarge) |
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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!
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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.
(saveourail.org.au - I think you meant saveourrail.org.au)
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