Cr Boyd’s letter (H, 27/7) correctly claimed that on Dec 2, 2008, Council unanimously resolved not to agree to any change in the existing transport modes until the State government implemented an integrated public transport system in Newcastle.
Unfortunately that decision was overridden by Council’s decision on June 16 (supported by Cr Boyd) to endorse the HDC Report’s “City Revitalisation” recommendations, including cutting of the rail line to Newcastle and a strategy for an integrated transport system, which must be based on the line being cut. The line may stay until the strategy is implemented. Council nevertheless supports its removal.
This decision, supported by the conservative bloc (including Cr Boyd) was made without any planning report or public submissions. The majority of councillors, including Cr Boyd, endorsed the June decision last Tuesday by voting against a motion to rescind that resolution.
