LRTC_Letter went to all candidates for Hume

Dear Candidate for Hume,

At the AGM of the LRTC (Lachlan Regional Transport Committee) held at Young Shire Chambers on Saturday 17th August a motion was passed by the assembled group that the LRTC contact the candidates for the seat of Hume and adjoining electorates affected by the wide spread of influence of the LRTC with the following message.

“That the candidates be contacted urgently to express our dismay at the apparent lack of positive direction by candidates in regards to the construction of the Maldon/ Dombarton rail link and to the re-opening of the Blayney to Demondrille railway line”.

Notes to above: There were five Mayors in attendance and also delegates from Yass and Wollondilly Councils. The Lord Mayor of Wollongong was particularly keen to see progress with the above rail lines as the full development of the NSW Ports (Port Kembla) will be severely restricted without a coordinated transport approach.

The delegates from the Blue Mountains are also backing out united approach to transport in NSW as the LRTC is a strong supporter of the full development of a fully integrated transport system. The delegates are well aware of the impending R.O.I (Registration of Interest) and followed by E.O.I which is an expression of interest on the Blayney / Demondrille line, after much hard work by all concerned and we also believe that the hand must be kept hard on the throttle to advance a large areas of NSW or else we may be once again be forgotten in the real transport world.

The matter clearly becomes more important due to the very successful seeking of potential freight for the lines and the interest shown by the people in using the lines.

Freight is available. Ship loads of it. We are reliably informed that a ship load of Cowra mined magnesite material has already departed Port Kembla for overseas. This all travelled to Port Kembla by road transport right past a disused railway line. Frustration is now at a critical level.

As one delegate said “let loose the dogs of war.”

Kind Regards,

Maurice Simpson Chair of LRTC 2013 to 2014