Re: Carl Scully announcement

[Bob <gioia@fastlink.com.au>]

Greg Nicholls wrote:

> I heard on Radio Illawarra ABC FM yesterday that Carl Scully is starting
> an investigation into the possibility of opening current unused brach
> lines in NSW.

  The Newcastle Herald reported on Friday 24/7 that $300,000 has been
allocated to fund feasibility studies into idle lines. Ironically they claim
that there are plans to restore a passenger service to Cessnock. This would
seem strange as the article says that RAC will be doing the studies. Who
would RAC have any say over the SMR? Also how would RAC have anything to do
with a possible operator of such services? Other lines identified in these
studies include the Torronto line and the Merriwa line. In an Editorial in
the Herald the editor states "It is a clear sign that an election is
approaching when governments begin talking about reopening long closed
railway lines in rural areas". How true!
Bob