Train supporters thank Byron Shire councillors Basil Cameron, Simon Richardson, Duncan Dey and Paul Spooner for their support and well researched arguments for local train services at the council meeting last Thursday.
Councillors Di Woods, Sol Ibrahim, Chris Cubis, Alan Hunter and Rose Wanchap chose to ignore thousands of names on petitions, over 100 emails to councillors, and a room full of people who want Trains On Our Tracks, and vote in favour of Byron Shire Council writing a letter to Ballina MP Don Page supporting $75m of taxpayer’s being allocated to rip up the valuable Casino to Murwillumbah rail line.
That $75 million would go a long way to providing a train service.
Northern Rivers people know there’s a desperate need for transport in the region and that the rail line could be central to having an integrated transport system, along with buses and cycleways, providing transport for all.
There has been a practical demonstration of how well this could work. In 2004 the Rail Motor Society Inc from Paterson in NSW brought up one of their restored rail motors and ran regular trips on the line from Mullumbimby to Byron and Bangalow return.
The train was packed every trip and many people were left behind, unable to get on. Even though it was a very old diesel train it was able to reach speeds of over 80kph and got to Byron in less than 10 minutes.
For the people stuck in traffic on Ewingsdale Road the trip took much longer, then they had to find a parking space.
Even going up the St Helena hill on the trip to Bangalow, the old train got up to speed. People were able to alight almost at the gates of the market and did not have to drive around looking for a parking space, or lug heavy purchases miles back to their car.
This trial run clearly showed how a regular service on the train line would not only be viable, but fast, efficient and convenient.
Louise Doran, Ocean Shores
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