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Cr Warwick Moppett (Mayor Gilgrandra Shire Council), John Cobb MP (Member for Parkes), Mark Vaile MP (Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Trade), and Cr Robert Wilson OAM (Mayor Parkes Shire Council) during a break in the conference

Rail - The NEWell Alternative

A study into the inland freight rail link, commissioned by the Department of Transport and Regional Services, found favourably for the construction of an inland route via Parkes. The study was launched by the Minister, Mr Warren Truss and is the most comprehensive study conducted on the line. A conference was held in Parkes to discuss the Study.

Deputy Prime Minister, Mark Vaile attended a forum on Monday 25 September in Parkes to discuss the future of an inland freight rail track between Melbourne and Brisbane.

Mayor of Parkes Shire, Cr Robert Wilson OAM said the attendance of Mr. Vaile indicated this issue is of national importance and currently on the government’s agenda. “I am very pleased Mr Vaile attended the forum. His support enables us to put this issue on the national agenda. Many people have worked long and hard to get to this point and it is essential we continue to highlight to the government the need for this vital infrastructure and the economical benefits it will bring to the inland of NSW”.

The rail forum in Parkes was a joint program coordinated by Parkes Shire Council and The North South Rail Corridor Coonamble Option Steering Committee. The aim is to form a united lobby group that works with the government to ensure the rail line becomes a priority project and it follows an inland route.

Chairman of the North South Rail Corridor Coonamble Option Steering Committee and Mayor of Gilgandra Shire Council, Cr Warwick Moppett said the Parkes forum had industry, local government and community support.

Latest Information

• A Copy of Resolutions from the Conference
• Promotions Committee Meeting Announced

Media Stories

Melbourne Age	Program aims to double rail's frieght share
Parkes Champion Post	Vaile's non-committment to Government Funds
Daily Liberal (Dubbo)	Project will get region on track
The Australian	$3bn rail link is pushed by Vaile
ABC Rural News	Push for inland rail network gathers speed
Parkes Champion Post	High profile speakers to address rail forum
ABC Brisbane	Vaile wins support for railway fast-track
ABC NEWS New England	Deputy PM attends rail corridor meeting
Lithgow Mercury	More rail needed
Port Macquarie News	Support on track for rail but not route
ABC Online - Victoria	Govt calls for feedback on routes for north-south rail corridor
Parkes Champion Post	Councils to meet in Parkes to push inland rail route option
The Sydney Morning Herald (& all Fairfax Affiliates)	Support growing for inland railway plan
The Daily Telegraph (& all News LTD affiliates)	Report backs inland railway
ABC Regional News	Forum to be held to discuss inland rail link between Melbourne and Brisbane
ABC News Online	Fighting fund to be set up to lobby for rail link
Dubbo Daily Liberal	Councils unite on rail link

Conference Photos

• Photos of Presenters, Delegates and Participants

Bus Tour Briefing Paper

• Parkes Transport HUB Overview

Press Releases

• Press Release by Warren Truss, Minister for Transport and Regional Services
• Press Release by Parkes Shire Council Mayor Robert Wilson

Guest Speakers Presentations

• Presentation by Mr Brian Nye, Australian Rail Association, 'The 'Future of Rail Freight in Australia'.
• Presentation by Mr Mike Almond, Terminals Australia, 'Transport and Regional Development'.
• Presentation by Mr John Ince, Bombardier Transportation, 'Fast Train Technology'.
• Presentation by Mr John Waugh & Mr Barry Donaldson of Great Australian Trunk Rail (GATR), 'GATR - Past, Present and Future'.
• Open Letter to Federal Government by GATR

Links

• North-South Rail Corridor Study

Contact details
General Manager
02 6861 2333 (ph)
02 6862 3946 (fax)
council@parkes.nsw.gov.au

© 2008 Parkes Shire Council
This page: http://www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/economic/7022/5678.html