Editorial: Do You Want a Rail Overpass?

ALL options for the rail overpass are less than ideal.

The overpass at Kelly Street would mean we would lose Elizabeth Park and seems the least acceptable option.

The overpass at Sherwood Street hardly constitutes an in-town rail overpass, most people don’t even know where the street is, much less use it frequently.

And the overpass at St Aubins would mean Guernsey Street would be cut in half, which is less than ideal.

Other options such as a rail overpass at Liverpool Street or Kingdon Street have been ruled out because of the heritage buildings and the sheer space needed for the overpass.

If none of the options presented are acceptable, do we simply forgo having a rail bridge in town completely?

During the consultation for the bypass and rail overpass many people have questioned if we need an in town rail overpass at all.

At the southern approach of the bypass the road will pass over the rail line, which could be used by emergency service vehicles.

So the question then becomes do residents want a rail overpass in town as well?

People who do not want a rail bridge in town have suggested waiting for the coal trains is not that inconvenient.

However, as the Gunnedah Basin opens up and the mining market inevitably swings back into action how long will we be kept waiting at the crossings then?

Maules Creek mine currently produces 8.5 million tonnes, with capacity of 13 million expected in two years.

The Narrabri longwall was given a state government approval in December to lift its production from 8 million tonnes to 11 million tonnes.

Whitehaven expects to produce 20 million tonnes this year, which will rise to 25 million by 2019.

While the existing mines in the Gunnedah Basin are increasing production, there are also new mines on the horizon such as Shenua’s Watermark.

While the coal price may have gone down, mining is still continuing and expanding, albeit on a less frenzied scale than during the boom.

All markets move in cycles and the exponential growth in the coal industry was not sustainable, but there has no death kneel for coal as some may want to believe.

The simple math is more coal coming out of the Gunnedah Basin equals more trains, more often and are we content to wait for them to pass by without an in-town rail overpass?

Whatever we choose, the town will have to live with it for the next hundred years.

Unless you send a formal email or letter to the RMS by Friday the choice will be made for you by others who have gone to the effort to make a submission.

The choice is still yours, make a submission now, or forever hold your peace.

HAVE YOUR SAY:

• Email: philip.davidson@rms.nsw.gov.au
• Mail: Roads and Maritime Services Hunter Regional Office,
  Locked Bag 2030, Newcastle. NSW 2300.
• Phone: (02) 4924 0332

Related articles:

• Strong Numbers Encouraging, February 5, 2016.
• First Feedback on Designs, January 22, 2016.
• Speak Now, January 21, 2016.
• Park Ruined and No Access, January 20, 2016.
• Bypass Progress, January 10, 2016.
• Rail Bridge Options, January 10, 2016.
• Scone Rail Crossings, January 10, 2016.

 

Elizabeth Flaherty

 

 

Editor
scone.com.au