Forum to highlight impacts of wheatbelt rail line closures on Kwinana

Submitted by Louise Sales on Tue, 21/02/2012 - 12:15

Public forum: What will the wheatbelt rail line closures mean for Kwinana?
Tuesday, February 21, from 6-8pm
Kwinana Recquatic, Cnr Gilmore & Chisham Ave, Kwinana

Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC, the Greens spokesperson on transport, will host a forum on the potential impacts of the proposed Tier 3 rail line closures on Kwinana. The meeting will be chaired by Kwinana mayor Carol Adams and speakers include Jane Fuchsbichler from the Wheatbelt Railway Retention Alliance, Fremantle Councillor Jon Strachan, Barry Healy from the Road to Rail Campaign and George Crisp from Doctors for the Environment.

“The Government’s decision to close 736 kilometres of rail lines in our wheatbelt will not just affect rural communities. It will also mean more trucks on our roads in the city, especially in the Kwinana area as trucks make their way to CBH,” said Ms MacLaren.

Jane Fuchsbichler from the Wheatbelt Railway Retention Alliance said “in an average season the closure of these lines will result in up to 500 extra truck movements per day to CBH. This means more dangerous conditions for road users and the community.”

George Crisp from Doctors for the Environment said “more trucks means increased particulate pollution and potential adverse health impacts. The effects of motor vehicle pollution on human health cost Australia around $2.6 billion a year1, with those living near major roadways being worst affected".

Barry Healy from the Road to Rail Campaign said “our communities are tired of our safety, health and quality of life being compromised by the volume of trucks on our roads. The Government needs to maintain the wheatbelt rail lines and shift freight from road to rail.”

Fremantle Councillor Jon Strachan said “Fremantle Council has joined the Wheatbelt Railway Retention Alliance in recognition that the closure of our wheatbelt rail lines will mean more trucks on our urban roads. We hope that Kwinana Council will also get on board with the campaign.”

“I oppose the imminent closure which is short-sighted and costly. Improving country roads and upgrading access to the ports would cost more than keeping those rail lines open. What we need is to shift more freight to rail and reduce trucking,” Ms MacLaren concluded.