Hand drawn website

There is currently a peaceful protest in Gloucester to stop the gas mining, and while I was zipping around on the interweb looking for the latest info on it, I found the lovely hand drawn EcoShout website, which was advertising the upcoming free concert by Anthony Albrecht at the protest site ( or you can buy a ticket to see him at Dungog at the Uniting Church 3pm on the 13th September) I'll be at the gig in Dungog and at the protest the next day!

 

 

 

 

Image from EcoShout

"If you do not keep the existing rail, prepare for a long and uncomfortable aftermath as we, the residents, will pursue you and your decisions"

Image from an article on protests in Maitland;

 published in Newcastle Herald,  04.09.14

The NSW Government has a plan to 'truncate' the railway line at Wickham. This means STOP the railway line at Wickham, and passangers would have to change to a bus into the city.
Here is a copy of a letter one Newcastle resident sent in to the government in response to this proposal:

Before making any changes to the existing rail line to Newcastle CBD, planners should take into consideration the full scope of corruption allegations currently being proven here. There is no legitimate scenario in which Newcastle residents would benefit from the proposed changes. They are contrary to the wishes of the majority of residents ( including me), they are contrary to the overall planning of the city ( eg the expansion of Newcastle University campus to the inner city) and there is evidence to suggest that they are contrary to the future prosperity of Newcastle ( as distinct from some vested interests). If you do not keep the existing rail, prepare for a long and uncomfortable aftermath as we, the residents, will pursue you and your decisions.

If you would like to make contact with the government on this issue too, you could send a handwritten letter to the NSW Minister for transport and the Hunter Region, 
Gladys Berejiklian,   
Level 35 Governor Macquarie Tower, 
1 Farrer Place, 
SYDNEY NSW 2000. 

As well as your local state member 

For further information or to join the campaign, go to Save Our Rail website

The pleasure of taking your bike on the train all the way to Newcastle City...

photograph by David Mist from the Powerhouse Museum Collection, Photograph collected from great Bicycle blog, Sydney Cycle Chic

..is now under threat! The NSW Government has a notion to build a Wickham Transport Interchange and 'truncate' (PR speak for 'cut off') the Railway line so you can no longer take a train into Newcastle.

I think this is a completely bad idea. So do some of my friends. Here is a copy of the letter Maryann wrote to the government:

To Whom It Concerns,

I am a user of the rail line between Newcastle station and Maitland. I want to be able to continue catching a train all the way into Newcastle beach.

I also want to be able to take my bike and children's bikes on the train to Newcastle beach. Buses won't let me do this.

The proposed interchange at Wickham is hopeless and not a solution.
What government gets rid of existing infrastructure that can only benefit a growing population ??? A short sighted government that is pandering to developers.

Please do not cut the Newcastle rail line.

Maryann Lees

If you would like to make contact with the government on this too, you should send a handwritten letter to the NSW Minister for transport and the Hunter Region, 
Gladys Berejiklian,   
Level 35 Governor Macquarie Tower, 
1 Farrer Place, 
SYDNEY NSW 2000. 

As well as your local state member 

For further information or to join the campaign, go to Save Our Rail website

Bicycles at Newcastle Baths (From Sydney Cycle Chic)

The easy train ride from anywhere with your surfboard to Newcastle beach

...is under threat....

As the NSW government considers a plan to "truncate" (PR-speak for "cut off") the railway line at Wickham

I'm not the only one who thinks this is silly. Here is a letter that another friend wrote to the government.

We left Newcastle (my phone wants me to write Beefcake) 10 years ago. Developers were lobbying to close the rail then, 10 years before that, and still today. Ironically, you marked out the old tracks in the honeysuckle "refurb", and the tram line (?) -- Just marked it mind, in that typically Australian false sentiment.

Keep it open damn you! Further, put the red rattler back on it. Build a perfect wave reef off the break wall. Make Hunter St one way out and King St one way in. Increase parking, paths, parks and cycleways.

Flush out your dead head business precincts and their negatively geared visions. Resist the Sydney plebs and their shit ideas. Find a real visions and back them for at least 10 years. renew newcastle proudly.

We might move back then. Good luck.

If you would like to make contact with the government on this too, you should send a handwritten letter to the NSW Minister for transport and the Hunter Region, Gladys Berejiklian:  Level 35 Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, SYDNEY NSW 2000. As well as your local state member 

For further information or to join the campaign, go to Save Our Rail website