Hobart’s Railway: Use it or Lose It

This Sunday will mark the end of TasRail services between Hobart and Bridgewater, possibly ending 140 years of rail services to our capital city.

Rail Action Group President, Ben Johnston, said “At a time when other small cities in our region (Canberra, Gold Cost, Newcastle, Wellington) are forging ahead with new rail projects, Hobart is abandoning its railway”.

“The Hobart – Bridgewater railway is worth around $2 billion in real terms and is a very obvious choice to revolutionise our mediocre public transport system which in turn would be a catalyst for economic development and employment” said Mr Johnston.

The railway links the Macquarie Point Development and existing attractions: Sullivans Cove, KGV, MONA, Cadburys, and Bonarong Park. The Tasmanian Transport Museum and Derwent Valley Rail heritage groups have the rolling stock, expertise, and enthusiasm to run tourist trains, if given permission.

Curtailing rail freight services at Bridgewater will put further pressure on the Brooker Highway, meaning more unaffordable upgrades, more congestion, and sadly more road crashes.

Mr Johnston said “We call on the Tasmanian Government to commit to not removing any rail infrastructure, including level crossing warning systems, on the Hobart – Bridgewater railway. Removing any infrastructure will make future tourist or commuter rail services even more challenging. Future rail freight options to the ports of Hobart or Risdon should also not be precluded.
Ben Johnston (President, Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group)