In reply to Peter Gutwein ‘Both rail projects have economic potential’ (Sunday examiner 29 July): https://www.examiner.com.au/story/5552609/both-projects-have-economic-potential-for-north-east/
Why should the Tasmanian public and visitors to Tasmania be deprived of Tourist and Heritage Railway experiences?
This seems to be an agenda to erase history. All other countries are developing their tourist and heritage railways as they have a proven market for it. In Tasmania there is an opportunity to be able to transport tourists from one end of the island to the other and all this government wants to do is turn railways into bike trails. Where is the foresight?
What is the rush to rip up over 100 years of history in the railway line beyond Lilydale Falls -permanently dividing our community and limiting the real marketing benefit and destination of a North East Tourist Railway?
They have realised that we are serious and not just hobbyists. We have a proposal to utilise an unused asset that is there to be capitalised on before any thought is given to ripping it up and using it for something else.
The article states that The Hodgman Liberal Government is a strong supporter of Tasmania’s booming tourism industry and that the cycle proposal and the railway proposal are of equal merit.
This is laughable political speak. The bike path will spend $4.5million of government and ratepayer money to rip up $40million of railway infrastructure. It is proposed to go through the Denison Gorge and the Tunnel.
It is proposed that the railway will start in the middle of nowhere at Turners Marsh and go to Lilydale. If this is successful we will be given a little bit more to Coldwater Creek. If we can really prove the railway is viable we might be allowed onto the main line to Launceston.
What are tourists going to do. Catch a bus to Turners Marsh, go on a train to Lilydale, ride a bike through the Tunnel and the Dennison Gorge and then ride to the Lavender Farm. What a joke!
This railway project is being constructed by experienced personnel and from private funds, and this was considered a risk by the Department of Finance.
The lack of vision of this government is appalling. Mr Gutwein states that it has been a highly emotive debate. It is about the lack of community consultation and the Dorset Council not listening to the people. Polls taken by your newspaper have indicated that the majority of people want to retain the railway.
It is time that those in power started to listen to the people.
Download Gazette …
hertage_rail_gazette_issue07.pdf
Wendy McLennan Community Liaison Officer, Launceston and North East Railway
