Rail proponents hits out at State Government over removal of tracks from Macquarie Point

THEY’RE calling it the Great Train Line Robbery – the removal of rail lines between Macquarie Point and the Regatta grounds.

Garney Pearce, left, and Ben Johnston, from the Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group, on the section of rail line that has been removed next to the Regatta grounds. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

THEY’RE calling it the Great Train Line Robbery.

Light rail proponents say the State Government has set back their cause by removing rail lines between Macquarie Point and the Regatta grounds.

Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group president Ben Johnston said repeated commitments to save and protect the rail corridor were not bing honoured.

Mr Johnston said the State Government was failing to future-proof Hobart for growth, given the removal of rail in Hobart and a new Bridgewater Bridge design that does not include rail.

“They seem ignorant of the significant benefits identified and quantified by consultants GHD and backed by the GCC and HCC,” he said.

“The Government’s repeated failure to present the rail business case to Canberra is a snub for Denison, where at least 62 per cent of voters support the idea.

”The State Government claims the Hobart Rail project isn’t viable even though state and local government studies indicate it would create thousands of long-term jobs and smash congestion with six million rail trips a year.”

Macquaire Point Development Corporation CEO Mary Massina said protecting the rail corridor for future use remained a priority.

“The Corporation understands the importance of maintaining the corridor into the Macquarie Point site, as well as the working port. That is why the historic South Line remains in situ.

“The Corporation has not removed all lines into the site and the protection of the rail corridor has been maintained.

“While some redundant track has been lifted it has been kept and will be either stored on site or donated to relevant rail groups.

“As recently as Friday the Corporation was in constructive meetings with federal ministers in regards to rail.

“Rail on the area leased by TasRail, which extends to the Regatta grounds, has been lifted as instructed by TasRail.”

Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding said claims that the former freight rail line to Macquarie Point has been removed were “false”.

“Some disused spur lines and shunting lines within the Macquarie Point boundaries that are secondary to the main line have been removed.

“These were lines used for heavy freight operations, which are now redundant.”

He said the Government was working closely with the Federal Government to progress the vision of a light rail service to Hobart’s northern suburbs as part of a possible “city deal” for Hobart.