Newcastle is an incredible place to live, and I’ve been fortunate to call it home my entire life.However, when it comes to making significant decisions, Novocastrians tend to take their time, and this can be costly to the local economy and its residents.
My family often says, “Actions speak louder than words.” This sentiment rings true in our city, where discussions often precede action, as evidenced by the lengthy deliberations surrounding the future of our transport infrastructure.
A prime example of this is the Newcastle City Light Rail.
When I started working at the University of Newcastle, many staff members were shocked that the city didn’t advocate more strongly for the retention of the train service back in 2014.
This was particularly surprising given the announcement of the new City Precinct campus coincided with the council’s decision to remove the train line. The removal drastically altered travel patterns in the inner city and impacted parking availability.
Once the City Campus opened, the university had to implement a free bus shuttle service running from Monday to Friday—an unnecessary solution had the train remained in service. Not only would students and staff have benefited from easy access, but the local economy would have gained from the ticket revenue generated by commuters.
Moreover, the challenges of the light rail system have been glaring. We’ve seen issues with fare evasion, delays during construction, and even tragic bicycle accidents.
It’s worth noting that property developer and former Lord Mayor of Newcastle,Jeff McCloy, has privately expressed concerns about the decision to remove the train, raising questions about whether the council truly considered the long-term impacts of this move. I often wonder if the development of the university was taken into account, or if the council simply aimed to sell prime land in Newcastle, unencumbered by mining subsidence.
Another important lesson involves the Fernleigh Track line to Belmont.
For years, the Council has claimed that reinstating the train service was not feasible due to the high costs of tunnel reconstruction. While this reasoning is understandable, it’s interesting they had no issue restoring the tunnels for a walking path.
Don’t get me wrong,walking, cycling, and running along the Fernleigh Track is fantastic, and it would be amazing to see it extended to the Central Coast and connected to Glenrock Lagoon. However, consider the potential for emission reductions and increased accessibility to the city centre if we could hop on a train at Adamstown, Kahibah, Whitebridge, Redhead, Jewells, or Belmont, just like in the old days.
We could have explored a hybrid solution that allowed light rail on these tracks while still accommodating pedestrians once the tunnel situation was resolved.
Lastly, we need to consider Newcastle Port and its future plans, especially as we transition away from coal exports. The ongoing discussions about the Port of Newcastle Cruise Terminal and the expansion of the multipurpose terminal for regular container service are crucial for this shift.
When we visit Carinda and venture ‘out west’, we often discuss the potential for Newcastle Port to export wool and beef. Data shows using Newcastle instead of Port Botany could lead to significant savings in transport costs. This transition would not only bolster the Newcastle economy but also enhance freight rail utilisation, ensuring greater longevity for our port.
Looking forward to the future of Newcastle, it’s essential we not only continue these discussions but also take decisive actions that will help shape a sustainable and prosperous city for generations to come.
By learning from past decisions and prioritising effective transport solutions, we can ensure a brighter future for our community.
