BY GEOFF PAYNE
NEWCASTLE — For those who don't know, Newcastle is a beautiful city. The sight of a massive bulk carrier being pulled and pushed into place by its attendant tugs is common. Even more special is when the ship appears, then disappears behind the city buildings or sometimes, depending on your line-of-sight, its superstructure seems to glide above the top of the buildings as it heads towards its berth.
This mix of work, rest and play is part of the city's ambiance. From the hill above Newcastle's traditional business district, you look over superb beaches, the working port and the nearby suburbs. You also see the city's rail line, snaking its way almost to the river entrance. Now some people don't see the big picture — they want to eliminate the heavy rail line.
They argue that the rail line is ugly; it stops the harbour from "connecting" to the shops and other city activities. The rail line occupies prime harbour-front line — perhaps some investors are too blinded by potential profit to acknowledge the role of the rail line in connecting people.
The state government has formed a working group to develop a policy for transport in the lower Hunter region and specifically on the Newcastle rail line. As well as the usual big wigs, like the mayor and senior public servants, the secretary of the Newcastle Trades Hall Council is also a group member.
Michael Costa, the minister both for the Hunter and for transport, has left no doubt what decision he expects from the transport working group. On June 17, he addressed the Newcastle Business Club. The next day, the local Fairfax-owned paper, the Newcastle Herald, backed the government's suggestion to cut the line by the end of this year.
In a submission to the working group, the Socialist Alliance pointed out that we have a right, "to have access to a cheap, safe, reliable and efficient transport system that is designed from the point of view of the transport user".
Arguing that local communities should have the right to veto changes to their public transport networks, the alliance also argued: "A comprehensive plan for all transport in the lower Hunter can only come about by the democratic involvement of relevant unions, transport consumers and local communities.
"Without this involvement, the plan to be produced by the Lower Hunter Transport Working Group can only reflect the other interest groups in this study. These interest groups are essentially hostile to public transport. They include car makers, oil companies, local property developers and real estate agents."
The Socialist Alliance is also arguing that an integrated, and expanded, public transport system should seek to eliminate the need for cars in the CBD altogether. "The Socialist Alliance is in favour of public transport being transformed into the preferred mode of transport for most daily or regular transport needs."
Action amongst rail workers, commuters and public transport advocates has started to try to overcome this growing push by the big business community to get their hands on the rail line. Petitions are being circulated. A big public meeting is being planned. To help out, come to the Save Our Rail action-group meetings held fortnightly at the Newcastle City Hall (see calendar for details) or phone Keith Parsons on (02) 4926 5301.
[Geoff Payne is a member of the Socialist Alliance.]
From Green Left Weekly, August 27, 2003.
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