AUSTRALIA PARTY PROPOSES RAIL TRANSPORT FOR CAIRNS

Had a great day today with my colleagues the candidates for Mulgrave and Barron River today focusing on issues that impact on the people of Cairns and FNQ. Today we announced that we were prepared to put rail transport on the agenda for Cairns. This is well over due and we're sick of the excuses.

The benefits for the community is enormous. Look at what Cairns rate payers are having to pay to build car parking. Part of this problem is due to the state government changing the planning laws to suit themselves and not provide parking spaces with their new premises that any other developer would have to

Here is the official media release.

The Far North Queensland Australian Party candidates have announced that the first stage of their transport policy will bring rail transport to Far North Queensland.

Candidate for Mulgrave Damien Byrnes who has been a long term advocate for rail transport said he was very excited about the prospect.

“With the continuing growth to the south of Cairns it is vital that we look at the rail options available in order to take cars off the road and ease congestion on our roads. Anyone who has travelled along the Bruce Highway on to Ray Jones Drive knows why we need this.” Mr Byrnes said.

Candidate for Cairns D.J.Hunt stated the benefits for the community were enormous.

“This proposal has the ability to take 200 or more cars off the road everyday. That’s 200 more car parking spaces we have in town. That’s less money rate payers have to fork out for council to build parking facilities. That’s more customers for struggling businesses not lost because they couldn’t get a park.”

Candidate for Barron River, Brendan Fitzgerald stated the relatively low cost would provide huge returns.

“When the ALP and LNP are talking about $8billion for a rail tunnel in Brisbane, this is a drop in the ocean. We have the infrastructure just sitting there doing nothing. Families would save enormous amounts of money by being able to catch a train instead of using their vehicles and paying for parking in town.”

The proposed concept combines with current infrastructure already in place with some concessions and equipment required in order to reduce initial costs in order to show there is a demand for services without committing excessive amounts of money. The idea is to establish stops between Cairns and Gordonvale and to use facilities in place at Redlynch. There would be morning and afternoon services on a trial basis to determine viability with a view to extending the services further if viable and would work in conjunction with the current bus services.

Mr Hunt said “We’ve had enough of the excuses. The people of Far North Queensland want this. The people of FNQ need this and the people of FNQ deserve this. Instead of double talk and pats on the back we get from our current sitting members on rail transport, we will make this happen.”