Petition calls for rail lines to stay
Posted
The Member for Burrinjuck has stepped up her campaign to save five western New South Wales rail lines from closure.
The state Nationals MP has launched a petition calling on the State Government to overturn its decision.
The Cowra to Koorawatha, Koorawatha to Greenethorpe, Koorawatha to Demondrille, Nevertire to Warren and Ungarie to Lake Cargelligo branch lines are all facing closure.
Katrina Hodgkinson says it will increase the number of heavy trucks on the road when normal grain harvests resume.
"The closure is going to force a significant number of heavy vehicles onto an already overburdened regional road network at harvest time," she said.
"That's of extreme concern. In addition to this there will be added costs to local government to repair that road damage which is going to be caused by the extra heavy vehicle traffic.
"People across the board are outraged at the proposed closures.
"The Minister clearly has not thought through this decision. It's a stupid decision and one that should be immediately rescinded."
The Lachlan Valley Railway Society is urging people to sign the petition.
A society member, Doug Raymond, says the lines' closure will leave its depot cut off.
"We would be completely landlocked," he said.
"That would hinder, or cease our operations as a running organisation."
He says the move would also lead to a drop in the number of tourists visiting the region.
"We are running trains monthly from Cowra and also our charter business runs from Cowra to destinations all over NSW," he said.
"[Closure of the lines] would definitely affect our operations."
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