The following letters are in response to an article regarding a plan by Hilltops Council to turn part of the Blayney to Demondrille rail line into a rail trail.
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WHY not?
Rail travel/freight in our area is dead!
Move into the 21st Century folks, we're no longer living in the '70's, please think of the future?
What a perfect re-use of infrastructure...Recreation.
Jo Cochrane, Morongla
Stop this waste of money, setting up these rail trails when people can be using the rail line after it is restored.
The best use of these old rail lines is to set up historical rail trips on these line.
They can be setup as luxury trips charging up to $500 per passenger, giving the passenger a true Pullman type service on these old lines.... then watch the tourists come.
This not only gives the tourist what they want.... it gives the local area a well needed tourist boost.
Do you think that will happen with rail trails....NO.
Paul Brooks, Thirlmetre.
I am of the opinion, that the two modes could operate inside the current corridor, to the point that when the restoration of the Blayney to Demondrille line happens then both the cyclist and freight forwarders, and LVR would benefit from the transport of freight and the monies spent by the lovers of heritage trains.
For evidence you only have to look at the 'Puffing Billy' in Victoria, the 'Pichi Pichi Railway is South Australia, operating on parts of the original Ghan line from Quorn, the 'Steam fest in Maitland NSW, the operational visits of heritage trains by QR to Wallangarra, and the proposal from the Minister for Transport in NSW to reactivate for heritage trains part of the original main south line from Thirlmetre.
To rip this section of rail line for a cycle trail, would effectively end the need for the line to be restored and deny the communities the totality of economic benefit and would require an amendment to the relevant act of Parliament under the 'Transport Administration Act' in my opinion, and not in the best interests of the rural community along the corridor and it is Government policy to remove as much freight from road to rail delivery.
Noel Rigney-Johnson, Temora
Re-open the whole line-it will be a boon to the central west region in the future.
Roderick Arnold, Narellen
We run rail tours using our fleet of ex-Southern Aurora Sleeping carriages.
They are proving incredibly popular, and a welcome opportunity to bring people to rural and regional communities.
We would support the re-opening of the above line, and amend our current 'Riverina Rail Tour' to traverse this line, if it was re-opened.
Simon Mitchell, Watson ACT
The proposal by Hilltops Council is outrageous.
In the UK for instance the government has returned the rail trails back to useable lines.
It would be better if you did your homework first.
Greg Standen, former secretary Lachlan Regional Transport Committee, Bathurst.
I am in support of railway redevelopment across all of Australia.
If this goes ahead and proves to be of community value adding to the commercial health of the local economy then other areas like the Dorrigo to Coffs Harbour line will look good for government support.
The Bells Line Rail line to Lithgow will add tourists to the area. Especially when the Waratah planting is enhanced all along the railway line.
A star attraction most sort after by tourists and rarely found.
The Blayney to Cowra line should consider planting rare native plants along the route.
Ian Donald, Spring Hill
Kendal Street works
I agree totally with Mr Muddle.
Margie Ryan, Cowra
I recently commented to a proprietor of a business in Kendal Street who had much work going on in front of his shop at the time - "This must be testing your patience with all this work going on out the front".
He replied "It's ok if people really want to come into the shop they will find their way in".
I really admired his attitude.
It was an attitude of being patient with the situation for the betterment of the CBD.
Seeing further than the temporary inconvenience.
I think the repaving of the footpaths in the CBD is a great improvement.
The fact that the pavers are on a concrete base obviously gives them stability which should last for years.
In latter years I have suffered a disability effecting my balance when walking and have had to resort to using a four wheeled pushable rollator and/or a motorised scooter (gopher).
The new pavers are excellent for both as they are very smooth especially noticeable on the scooter.
In conclusion I must say I find the old pavers being replaced to be a challenge to negotiate and I am thankful that the situation is being rectified.
Allan Willson, Cowra
We can only wholeheartedly agree with John Muddle and Christopher Parris regarding the works in progress in Kendal St.
Looking at the pavers laid down so far makes me wonder why they didn't just colour and etch the cement instead - which would have cost much less I'm sure!
Drab and boring and so slow it's ridiculous.
As if retailing wasn't hard enough in these times.
Wonder how long until something breaks under the footpath and it has to be jackhammered up?
Kris Mckeon, Cowra
In the interest of the main street businesses I would have thought that one side would have been completed and parking spaces made available before starting the other side.
I can only assume that current practices are to keep project within budget.
The success long term of this project I guess will be judged by the number of out of town people that the new footpath brings to town to do business.
Doug Wright, Cowra
High 5 to the worker layer stone at squire park. This guy is hard at it daily (only one you'll see continuously working).
Natalie Crutch
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
