Auditor-General’s report shows Newcastle given a dud light rail program

The report says:

Regarding the decision to close the existing rail line (a decision on which no cost/benefit analysis has ever been presented,) the report stated:

The NSW Long Term Masterplan, a major transport planning document released in December 2012 did not include a view about the advantages and disadvantages of closing the rail line.

There was a public meeting to inform the Long Term Masterplan where attendees were asked to list transport priorities.

Overwhelmingly the need to retain the rail line was listed, but this was omitted from the report to government.

Only the views of business and industry groups were included in the advice to Cabinet.

The decision had already been made.

Consultations held after the decision was announced, prohibited any mention of the rail line, even the microphone being disconnected when a woman was advocating a review of the decision.

Regarding the light rail route, common sense would indicate that it should run on existing rail tracks, which would be almost $100 million cheaper as advised in the unreleased document 71, discovered in the office when Tim Crakanthorp was elected. 

Save Our Rail  (SOR) had been aware from the outset that the whole idea by Hunter Development Corporation (HDC) was to gain the rail land for development, not being undermined and therefore not limited by the Mines Subsidence Board.

There was no way HDC would allow its prize to be lost to another rail line.

The audit reported that rather than consulting the public the sessions were used to promote the light rail program.

One question asked whether people would use the light rail and the responses were counted as favouring the building of the light rail – of course public transport users would have to use it since the alternative had already been removed.    

The costs of light rail and associated programs had risen to $693 million by 2017 and still rising. The audit noted:

“Business case analysis indicated economic and transport benefits would not justify the cost of light rail.  

“The program would lead to about 73 cents for every $1 spent and light rail would not make a significant contribution to improving public transport in Newcastle.”

Members of SOR have compiled data of significant adverse impacts of cutting the direct rail line .

The audit report confirms these findings stating:

“For those travelling from outside the city centre the projections showed that light rail would increase travel times for both rail users and road users.”   

Anecdotal evidence indicates about half hour per train trip lost, and car users experiencing difficulties through delay near the new interchange and in finding parking.

In my opinion Newcastle has been crippled through this whole “revitalisation” program. People are turning to easier venues for shopping, medical needs and entertainment. 

Businesses in the inner city have been hugely affected during the construction phase, some even closing.

As with the earthquake many will not be able to re-establish as customers develop new habits.

David Jones, a key customer base closed along with some small businesses and lately the Tower Cinemas have closed.

Save Our Rail had put forward progressive proposals for future transport in Newcastle and the Hunter.  What could have been achieved with the funding wasted on this dud light rail program?

Imagine a rail connection from Newcastle Station linking the beaches, tunnelling under the harbour to Stockton and on to the airport. Imagine an attractive viaduct with the rail line running above the roads to allow access to the waterfront.

Imagine the Newcastle to Sydney route straightened to cut the trip time and a bridge at Adamstown that would eliminate that particular crossing headache.

Other losses to the city include heritage buildings, including The Store.

One would think such a building would only be demolished to make way for a building of significance – what does Newcastle get? A bus depot and a car park.