Local residents, businesses and other organisations are being encouraged to have their say on the future of transport in NSW, as part of development of the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan.Transport for NSW has published a discussion paper and is calling for submissions and will also seek public feedback at a public forum to be held tonight from 6pm to 8pm at Lismore City Hall.
Roads minister Duncan Gay, and Transport for NSW representatives will attend the forum to listen to the community’s views.
Lismore MP Thomas George said, ‘the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan will identify a clear direction for transport over the next 20 years, building on current commitments which are underpinned by a record $13.1 billion investment in roads and transport in the 2011–12 budget.’
But Northern Rivers Social Development Council spokesperson Linda Wirf said there was insufficient focus on transport other than highway upgrades in the plan.
Ms Wirf told local media this morning, ‘we think it’s particularly important that there’s some outline around what’s being planned about public transport, community transport and active transport such as walking and cycling. That doesn’t get a mention in the discussion paper.’
And Trains On Our Tracks president Karin Kolbe says recent research done by Southern Cross University suggests 90 per cent of Northern Rivers residents they surveyed would use a revived Casino to Murwillumbah rail line at least once a month if it were linked to the Gold Coast.
