The Labor Party has been asleep on the railway for more than a decade.

Minister Robert Webster cemented the cutting the line to Newcastle into State Government Policy in March 1993 when he wrote it into the Honeysuckle Approved Scheme under the Growth Centres (Development Corporations Act) Act.

You will recall that he also placed the Chamber of Commerce in charge of the scheme.

When the Carr Labor Government came in with the policy to retain rail services to Newcastle they did nothing positive to implement the 1981 Joy Cummings Harbour Foreshore scheme that provided for the creation of a scenic landscaped rail corridor. This was the basis of their policy.

The sterile architectural vision illustrated in 'The Herald' today that sweeps away Newcastle's heritage and friendliness and removes the direct rail connection with Newcastle's hinterland will fail on economic, heritage and convenient ecologically appropriate public transport grounds. It is just not Newcastle. However that doesn't mean that these arguments will ever be heard in Macquarie Street.

Most Newcastle people do not know that the Honeysuckle Development Corporation's Growth Centre has been extended over most of the city making the Local Elected Councillors for all intents redundant. This was done on Christmas 2002.

Why do Labor people keep covering up their ineptitude at gaining a say in the City?

I think our Labour members should threaten to resign from the Costa/Car Government now and stand as the Real Labor next time and bring the current Labor Government back from the brink.

The Costa's dismantling of City Rail is bound to cost the Car Government any chance at the next election.

Remember the Stockton Bight National Park is still awaiting declaration and the urbanisation of the bight is well and truly started this month. That is just another example of the worthlessness of a Carr promise in this region.


Sincerely,

Doug Lithgow,

Freeman of the City of Newcastle
President: Parks and Playgrounds Movement Inc.