GREENS SUPPORT QUEENSTOWN’S RAILWAY WORKING GROUP MOTION

The Tasmanian Greens today called on Infrastructure Minister, David O’Byrne, to immediately action the West Coast community’s motion that a working group be formed to develop an action plan for saving the West Coast Wilderness Railway.

Greens Acting Leader Tim Morris MP, who attended yesterday’s community meeting in Queenstown, said a Transition Taskforce was essential to ensure the skills of the current workers were not lost, and to ensure the focus is on viable alternative options.

“The Greens welcome the 240 strong crowd’s unanimous vote to form a working group yesterday in Queenstown. As soon as we became aware of Federal Hotels’ intention to bail on this business, we immediately called for a Transition Taskforce to be created to evaluate the best way forward,” Mr Morris said.

“We believe the Transition Taskforce should include locals such as Mayor Darryl Gerrity, representatives from the Cradle Coast Authority, the State Government and experts on tourism and heritage rail operations.”

“The Abt Railway has provided jobs and indirect revenue to neighbouring businesses for a considerable period of time. It is a significant feature of the West Coast’s local economy and provides security to the community and a number of families.”

“We need to guarantee that future models are viable and will avoid a similar situation occurring down the track.”

“It is disappointing that Federal Hotels have again managed to orchestrate a deal with a former Labor Government that has produced a negative legacy for the Tasmanian community”

“The lack of transparency surrounding the lease agreement with Federal Hotels makes it difficult to determine exactly how this venture failed and how the taxpayer has been left financially exposed.”

“This is an attraction that has collected a swag of prestigious awards since its commencement and is considered one of the best rail experiences in the world, for the current operator to simply walk away from this is pretty poor form,” said Mr Morris.
Tim Morris MP Greens Acting Leader Friday, 8 February, 2013.