Campaign Steps to Date April 24 - Present
Finally, The NSW Gov Draft Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan was released in December 202
Taking advice to be patient and wait for the report to drop the train to Cessnock team remained somewhat confident that the case was strong, the ministers, the new mayor all were supportive and we had done all we could to inform a good decision.
Well if you read the draft plan you will see it is a fluffy and mostly identical plan that the previous gov had released in 2021. With the exception on this issue to move from looking at rail services on the SMR corridor, backwards to looking at preserving the corridor sometime in the next 5 years. Preservation doesn't mean for trains or anything in particular; just means they see they might need the direct access from Maitland for something terribly expensive in the next decade maybe.
There is a new letter template available in the 'Write to MPs' tab here. If you want to have trains running as soon as possible there are two actions to take right now.
1. Write to Jenny Aitchison about why you want that train and when
2. Go to https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/hunter
Voice your desire to have the Train to Cessnock proposal added to the strategic plan and why the train is important to you and the community. It is important that the corridor Maitland to Bellbird is acquired as soon as possible by the state and that a full business case is undertaken immediately. Otherwise this affordable rail service will dissapear to be replaced in 10-15 years with a massive project with a massive bill to taxpayers. Buy now or really pay later!
We see this plan as a bit of a kick in the guts for the community by a state government that is taking a Labor vote and secure seat for granted.
Write to Dan Repacholi and Meryl Swanson as well. Let them know a vote in the May election isn't guaranteed when the ALP ignores loyal voters and their community needs over marginal seats closer to Sydney.
Train To Cessnock Public Q&A May 21 2024
Hosted by Qirkz in the Hunter in Abermain, passionate people filled the room to brim to hear the latest from the Train To Cessnock team. We were very grateful to have Meryl Swanson MP, Jenny Aitchison's Cheif of Staff and several representitives of Transport for NSW attend and provide an update from their individual roles in government and strategic planning.
The evening was a great success, with many people having the opportunity to share their stories and wishes. Meryl was a strong presence for the federal government. Unfortunately local MP Clayton Barr didn't make it as expected and Dan Repacholi MP was unavailable due to commitments related to his olympic bid.
Replay: Click this link Replay The Meeting
Final takeaway; write a letter to the local MPs (see the tips) today!
It is planned to make a video of the evening available soon for those who could't make the night.
Meeting Meryl Swanson Federal Member for Paterson April 11 2024
Bill and Andrew met with Meryl Swanson MP, to present her with the case document and discuss. The Paterson Electorate includes a large portion of the corridor and it is important to include Ms Swanson in the progress discussion and seek her future support for the initiative. She was very enthusiastic and supportive of the initiative; particuly as she is a born and bred local.
Meet Dave Layzell, Member for the Upper Hunter April 11 2024
Bill and Andrew met with Dave Layzell, presented him with the case document and discussed the various key points in it. Mr Layzell acknowledged that the main impacts of the proposal were outside of his electorate, however he noted that it would impact the many families who reside in the Cessnock Electorate and work in the upper Hunter. He was very supportive of the need for the state to immediately act to acquire and protect the corridor for public transport and then to get trains running.
In particular he could see how this TrainToCessnock will allow land releases for affordable housing and business development.
We met at the Rydges Hunter Valley before an awards event, so added to the meeting was a chance encounter with Clayton Barr; who joined the conversation. It was very encouraging to see Mr Barr enthusiastically endorsing the proposal and the submission to attract budget funding for the feasibilty study.
See Below for Previous Activities
Campaign Steps to Date Nov 23 - Mar 24
Meeting with Yancoal Austar Closure Project Manager, Environment & Community Manager - March 6 2024
We were invited to meet with the team responsible for the closure and remediation of the Austar mine Pelton coal handling plant and rail infrastructure. This includes the removal of all the rail line and equipment from Cessnock to Bellbird.
The meeting allowed us to present all the history and details of our initiave; with the Yancoal project team outlining the project timeline for the remediation work.
When asked what we were looking for from Yancoal; we requested that the 6km of rail infrastructure from Cessnock to Bellbird be offered to the state for the purposes of running passenger services.
Train to Cessnock Public Submission For Funding - March 1 2024
Bill prepared and delivered a public submission for funding in the next state budget; making a request for the initial funding required for Transport for NSW to undertake a full feasibilty study and design work be included in the next budget. Download the submission document HERE
Attached to the submission were letters of support for the project from Clayton Barr MP for Cessnock and Dan Repacholi federal MP for the Hunter. Dan's letter is available HERE , Clayton requested that his letter not be available on this site
Meeting With Jay Suvaal, Cessnock City Council Mayor - Cessnock Feb 29 2024
Train To Cesnock team met with council to present the case for a train service to meet the public transport needs and help reduce road traffic. The Mayor was open to hearing the case presented and was also given the Train to Cessnock response to the 2024 Traffic and Transport Strategy; which highlights that the Council's new strategy has no mention of public transport, let alone making use of the rail corridor for its best and highest purpose. Which of course is running passenger trains into a area with no public transport to speak of.
In light of having the case explained and having some discussion, Jay Suvaal made it clear that the provision of public transport and any decision to run a train service was completely a State responsibility.
Train to Cessnock Meeting with Maitland City Council - February 26 2024
An online meeting with the Strategy and Planning Team at Maitland City Council that covered the positive impact a Train To Cessnock will have on residents in the LGA, with services through Gillieston Hgts and additional through Maitland to Newcastle easing traffic congestion.
The council team were very supportive of the idea that a full business case be completed to set out how a Train To Cessnock could be delivered and to confirm the expected significant benefits to the Maitland LGA and the Cessnock LGA
Radio Chat on 2CHR 10.30am Feb 16 2024
With the recent distribution of the Train To Cessnock case report to Federal and State representitives, Transport for NSW and Cessnock City Council; the Train To Cessnock is gaining the necessary momentum to see effective public transport into the Cessnock area. Warren from the local Hunter Community Radio Station 2CHR reviewed the 'Train To Cessnock Case' document and spent 40 mins with Andrew Fenwick and local Rail Consultant Bill Palazzi discussing the ins and outs of the initiative. Listen to the interview HERE
Online meeting with Transport for NSW - Strategic Intergrated Transport Plan Team Feb 15 2024
Andrew, Bill and Stuart from Train To Cessnock were invited to an online meeting with six members of the Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan project team.
It was a very welcoming meeting and we were invited to present the 'Çase For The Train To Cessnock'report and discuss important points. The document has now been included into the community consultation and we will be consulted further as it is reviewed.
Meeting with Hon. Emily Suvaal MLC Chair, Standing Committee on State Development Feb 8 2024
Train To Cessnock met with Emily Suvall MLC. As an MLC, Emily does not represent the local area specifically, but she is a resident of Cessnock and so has firsthand experience of the issues facing this community, including the lack of public transport.
Having discussed The Case for the Train to Cessnock, Emily recognised the many community benefits that introducing passenger trains between Bellbird and Newcastle would bring and the difference that it would make to our community. She provided much good advice to the team on steps that we could take to further the proposal.
Meeting with Hon. Clayton Barr MP member for Cessnock Jan 22 2024
Train To Cessnock met with Clayton, presenting the Case for the train to Bellbird from Maitand. Like many people looking at the line from outside the industry there was a belief that the project was too big, too expensive and too far off. Although only a short meeting Clayton appeared more enlightened and encouraged by the information presented. He will be tabling our petition to the Legislative Assembly which closed Feb 9 2024 with 2749 signatures.
Meeting with Hon Jenny Aitchison MP member for Maitland and Minister for Regional Transport and Road
Train to Cessnock team Andrew Fenwick, Bill Palzzi (PalazziRail) and Stuart Sutherland (Lycopodium Engineering Newcastle) met with the Minister and Transport for NSW management; presenting the case report and key points that pointed to the crucial timing issues and savings available now.
The minister was very open to the information and the current needs based argument; however like all politicians in government she was careful not to promise anything apart from more consultation opportunities for the initiative.
Meeting with Dan Repacholi MP Federal Minister for The Hunter Jan 19 2024
Train to Cessnock team Andrew Fenwick, Bill Palzzi (PalazziRail) and Stuart Sutherland (Lycopodium Engineering Newcastle) met with the Minister. Although this proposal affects a State issue it was considered good manners to update Dan on what was happening with the campaign. He was really appreciative of that and very supportive of the proposal.
True to his word, Dan added the campaign to his email newsletter and has promised to give the campaign as much support as he can from his position.
New team member joins Train to Cessnock, Stuart Sutherland - Lycopodium Engineering Newcastle Dec 1
Bill Palazzi introduces Andrew Fenwick to Stuart, who is a director at Lycopodium Engineering. This organisation specialises in Rail, Road and Bridge projects and has had previous infrastructure experience on the SMR rail corridor. After having the proposal to return passenger services into the Cessnock explained Stuart said "it would be a sin if this wasn't statrted now while the corridor is certified for use".
He was very keen to assist in the success of the campaign.
New team member joins Train to Cessnock, Bill Palazzi - PalazziRail Consultancy Nov 10 2023
Bill and Andrew worked together in the mid 90s in the FreightRail Projects and Engineering Division on a train operations upgrade project. Having moved from Sydney into the local area Bill took interest in the petition to renew the Maitland to Bellbird line and arranged to meet.
With 35 years of rail engineering experience he saw the potential. After much more time and effort than was expected Bill has delivered a mind changing case report.