Hobart Rail Line in jeopardy

The proponents of Light/Passenger Rail in Hobart want an immediate halt to the further destruction of rail lines leading onto Hobart’s Macquarie Point.

The Rail Action Group says construction works on the city’s main line to the waterfront, beside the Hobart Regatta Pavilion, throws doubt on the State Government’s pledge to protect the rail corridor.

It’s understood the rail corridor will be occupied by a cycleway extension into Macquarie Point, but group President Ben Johnston says the public has not been consulted and kept in the dark. The Rail Action Group has requested a detailed plan defining the rail corridor and therefore protecting the rail corridor.

“Construction activity is occurring in the same area where rails were ripped up by the Macquarie Point Development Corporation last year, in what the former TasRail Chairman Bob Annells described as a ‘stuff-up’.”

Mr Johnston says “We need rail as a key solution to Hobart’s ‘growing pains’, and it will be a waste of taxpayers’ money to relocate a cycleway only months after it was constructed”.

Supporters of Light Rail will hear the Speaker of the House of Assembly and long time rail advocate Sue Hickey speak at the Rail Action Group’s AGM tomorrow night: Friday 16th, 5pm at the Moonah Arts Centre.

Ben Johnston is President, Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group