26/04/2012
Tunnel for Newcastle is a non political organisation that offers a compromise to that issue of what to do with the current rail link. We are not associated with Save Our Rail, Save the Figs, Save the Whales or Save Greenshield stamps. We know that anyone who has chosen to remove their rail lines has lived to regret it. (Just ask the people of Manly/Northern Beaches if they would like to have rail access to Sydney.) We see these issues as important:
* Cutting the rail would make the trip from Maitland and the Lake area from half an hour to an hour.
*Light rail is a poor substitute. Having lived in Glebe it is quicker to get the bus than the light rail.
*Light Rail still maintains a barrier between the old city and Honeysuckle.
*The method we propose is "cut and cover". essentially lowering the line beneath the surface allowing traffic to flow over the top.
*Discussions with the engineering department at the University of Newcastle has assured us that "the water table" provides minimal challenges to this process. (Don't forget there is a tunnel under Sydney Harbour and we are pretty sure that is under the water table.)
*We are pro-development. You can build whatever you like over the top of the rail line similar to St Leonard's in Sydney. (How about the Southern Hemisphere's biggest McDonald's to go with the KFC).
*We realise that business groups would like to get hold of this land because the area was zoned in the 1850s not to be mined under, hence no issues with mine subsidence making it cheaper to build. We are Ok with that. we understand that business acts in self interest for its share holders, board and employees. We believe that is what drives the market.
*We believe that this compromise will be the best for the business community because it will allow people to have access to the renewal they propose. Especially special events.
*We believe that public transport will play a bigger role in our lives as the price of fuel will be driven up with China and India accessing the limited resource.
*In the long run we believe there will be a time of peak oil and public transport will become essential.
*It will be expensive and difficult to retro fit this type of public transport in the future as they are doing in LA and other American cities to their cost.
*We are not about conflict.
*We are about working with the business community of Newcastle.
*We believe that this will be the best outcome for Newcastle and the Hunter and Lake Macquarie.
*The only issue we see is the cost. Cut and cover is a cheap alternative to full scale tunneling and is done regularly in the mines around the Hunter. If we act as a concerted group: Business, Community, Government agencies of Newcastle then we can raise the monies and put in infrastructure to help make this the greatest city in Australia. Maybe some of the mining tax, which we provide, can pay for it.
