LOWER HUNTER REGIONAL STRATEGY Released early November 2005, this document hardly touches on rail issues. It predicts substantial employment growth for the Newcastle CBD, but fails to affirm the key role passenger rail must play. Chapter 5, "Employment Land", fails to mention the importance of putting new jobs within an easy walk of rail. Chapter 4 has a similar failing with regard to housing. At least the pamphlet generally shows a bias against vast urban sprawl but we have recently seen the government cave in on this issue to a landholder lobby in Sydney's northwest. There is a glimmer of hope. The Appendix 1. of the Draft Lower Hunter Regional Strategy says under suggested criteria for any proposed development site outside designated areas "No net negative impact on performance of existing subregional road, bus, rail, ferry and freight network". The maps do not even show that portion of the South Maitland Railway which would carry alumina from the port to the Kurri Kurri smelter if the State Government had any commitment to rail freight. They do show a zone for inter-modal terminals. This is further towards Maitland than the Hexham site and does not have rail connection. We would need very good junctions, no level crossings and close to two kilometre long hardstands to make this credible.

WARNING petrol headed land sharks An infestation in the Lower Hunter is widely believed to have caused the shock resignation of Bob the Bushwalker in August 2005. This species is unenlightened and so returns no photons to cameras. Any tacky encounters should be reported to the new Premier. Bob is believed to have taken refuge in a bank where somebody had told him there were no land sharks. We must hope the assurance did not come from the minister who ,in 2000, told the assembled citizens of Mudgee their railway had reopened. As at December 2005 the rails remained rusted, carrying no cement or passengers to the Hunter.

Even new management and rolling stock will not be enough

The Newcastle Herald played a crucial role to prevent the "lifting of the tracks" into the CBD in the mid nineties, but failed to promote the development around the three city stations that would make passenger numbers respectable. They never made the point that redevelopment of railway land should be for railway purposes. These could include a variety of trip attractors such as a major stadium without private car parking, backpacker facilities, regional medical clinics and a legal precinct.

In 2006, these ideas I have had posted since 2000 are still relevant - The city and Lower Hunter need a decent sports stadium, even if only forty thousand capacity. Rugby League interests have previously advocated Wickham, but so much public land has now been developed that a new Civic station might be adjacent to the stadium, as per my original Wickham diagram . In that case a new elevated Wickham station could be built spanning the level crossing to the west of the present one. . The Sydney specials would not conflict with local traffic between Broadmeadow yard and the stadium. Parking would be needed for many charter buses. Zones could be created along Hunter Street for some of these. One of the cheapest and best improvements to suburban service has been repeatedly ignored. I refer to the failure to run all trains at Hamilton through the island platform, easing interchange between the Maitland and Sydney services. NEW STATION LOCATIONS ISLINGTON TAFE students would be well served by a station near Clyde Street. This would also give shorter access to the Knight's and other stadia for patrons on the Maitland line. If such a station was elevated it would reduce delays by grade separating the junctions either side of it. GLENDALE shopping centre turned its back to rail when it was built. Now the operators are trying to have the State Government spend up big to put a station where they want it. Apparently they even want the station naming rights for free. If the government has to pay, the scheme below may cause less disruption to existing rail assetts. SULPHIDE JUNCTION station shown at left. Possible overhead concourse shown in orange, possible new access ways in purple. Another easy improvement would be linking Sulphide Junction station to Glendale shops and the industrial area with massive bike and pedestrian flyovers. The bus station in the shopping centre could be moved southeast, closer to the station. Gains would probably be to cycling, the shops and the buses with rail last. Any gain to rail patronage is worth chasing in the perilous situation. GO TO In the Sandstone and on the Heights Submissions to Woollahra Council and newspapers Private Transport on Rail Eric Tierney's OPENING SCREEN