Nationals promise $100 million for rail commuter services
Leader of the NSW Nationals Andrew Stoner, Deputy Leader of the NSW Nationals Don Page and local Coalition MPs have announced the NSW Coalition would spend $100 million to put commuter services on the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line.
Mr Page, who is also the Shadow Minister for North Coast, was joined by The Nationals’ candidate for the Tweed, Geoff Provest, the Member for Lismore, Thomas George, the Member for Clarence, Steve Cansdell, Nationals’ MLC, Jenny Gardiner, and Liberal MLC, Catherine Cusack, in making the announcement at Murwillumbah Railway Station this week.
Mr Page said a Coalition Government would undo Labor’s unpopular axing of train services on the line by running a minimum of six daily commuter services on the line, with that number to rise subject to demand.
“The NSW Coalition will spend $100 million over four years for a commuter service including necessary upgrades to the line and maintenance,” Mr Page said.
“This figure is based on a NSW Government report that shows it would cost $22 million to make the line safe, plus annual maintenance costs.
“We will also purchase the commuter trains which will initially run twice in the mornings and twice in the afternoons during peak periods (one each way) and there will be one return commuter service to cater for non 9am-5pm commuters.
“We will also start immediate planning for an extension of the line from Murwillumbah to the Gold Coast, and investigate the construction of additional passing loops as part of the refurbishment of the line.
“The NSW Labor Government has shown a complete disregard for the transport infrastructure needs of the North Coast by closing the Casino to Muwillumbah rail line in 2004 and subsequently refusing to re-open it.
“This line is an important piece of infrastructure running through the heart of our region and it should be properly utilised as the region grows and we seek to further develop the villages along the line.”
