NBN News can reveal the GPT Group has suspended negotiations with at least four mall business owners, giving no explanation to the retailers for the decision.
But GPT has said it’s committed to Newcastle and it’s business as usual.
Should the Newcastle rail line be cut at Wickham?
- No (61%, )
- Yes (39%, )
Loading ...text will be replaced
I am of the opinion that if the rail line is cut and not run into newcastle station,the newcastle CBD will be in trouble with transport problems and people will avoid going there. Other cities around the world have cut rail services into CBD’s and now wish that they had not done so.
I am also of the opinion that people who vote for the rail to be cut are not train travellers but motorists who would be the first to complain about pollution and traffic congestion in the Newcastle CBD area.
When these surveys are carried out , please ask people if they are train commuters or motorists.
The rail track is an eyesore on our beautiful city center. It should off been ripped up years ago. I can not understand the reasoning behind leaving the rail system in the CBD, when the CBD of Newcastle is such a joke.
International and Domestic travelers are disgusted to see the eyesore that has become Newcastle CBD.
Such a picturesque backdrop is the harbor of Newcastle, it is a juxtaposition to the state of our once thriving CBD.
If such a large development group as GPT want’s to attempt to reinvent the center of Newcastle, in well documented financially volatile times, all avenues must be open to get the development done. This is an opportunity for not only for our generation, but the next few generations to adopt emerging sustainable development practices.
Jodi McKay you would want to hold your head in shame for attempting to block this proposal, for the pure and simple fact that the NSW government has not got the financial resources to ensure this proposal comes to fruition. Shame on you Jodi!
It’s about time Newcastle emerged and developed from the sleeping superpower of NSW.
Please ask the train travellers what they want. Imagine having to change at Wickham if you are elderly or have a pram. It’s just a joke not to have a rail link into Australias 6th. largest city. I know a lot of people would not travel into town without the train. It’s true GPT are holding the people of Newcastle & The Hunter Valley to ransom.
The heavy train line should be cut. This is an oppourtunity that must not be passed up! The CBD of Newcastle is disfunctional, dirty and delapidated.
The rail line is no longer required in the CBD, it is and eyesore on our city. It is used by a minority that are attempting to hold the enitre region to ransom. Without this investment, Newcastle CBD will remain a ghost region within the city.
The train line is never used at full capacity. It is used by a minority of Hunter people that fall into 2 categories;
Aged pensioners by day,
Drunk adolensence at night.
Get rid of the train line so we can clean the dirty CBD up! Do not pass up this oppourtunity for a revitalised CBD of Newcastle!
the foreshore is magnificent, the beaches are wonderfull, what’s inbetween?
A dirty, neglected vandalised cbd.
Link all three and we may get some civic pride back for the whole city.
Newcastle is the capital of the Hunter, but at the present is disgracefull.
Let’s make Newcastle “More than a city” to be proud of.
Cut the great divide at at Wickham.
COME ON NEWCASTLE AS THE KNIGHT CHANT GOES WITH ONLY A SMALL CHANGE TO THE LYRICS….GO NEWCASTLE GO,,,MARCH INTO THE 21ST CENTURY AND SHOW THE PEOPLE SOUTH OF THE HAWKESBURY WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CITY WE LIVE IN….
GPT’s vision for Newcastle is near sighted and environmentally and fiscally flawed.
The concept of malls and shopping centres to which people drive and park is 20th century thinking. The future is environmentally friendly public transport systems such as rail.
May I suggest that GPT develop their proposal without the car as the central mode of transport and around public transport and then consider what they think of the rail.
Newcastle cannot afford to have less public transport than currently exists. Keep the rail.
I’ve lived in this city for 50 years & I’ve watch it ‘s slow deterioration with dismay & sadness. I’m sorry that we can’t make the rail line more functional & attractive but the fact is that it is ugly & dysfunctional & I have been near Newcastle station at night & I felt very unsafe. I would definitely not catch a train at night in the city. In fact I used to love catching the train to Sydney. When I was young it was a big adventure & something my siblings & I looked forward to. Now the trains are dirty & smelly. The toilets are a disgrace & the security is poor. I’m ashamed of them & discourage visitors travelling up from Sydney from using the Newcastle trains. I have travelled on much better trains in third world countries.
I really feel that this is the last hope for Newcastle to emerge from the vandalized, graffiti ridden inner city . I say bring the people back into town. Breath life back into our city, or watch it continue to die & become a ghost town.
Just a thought – why does GPT’s computer-generated movie of the development include the pedestrian bridge to Queen’s Wharf? Gives a bit more weight to the financial crisis-inspired cut-and-run theory.
Geez, it’s not hard to walk over that bridge. What would the people rather – a couple of flights of stairs or having to stuff around changing from a train to a bus at Wickham (and we know what public transport is like trying to synchronise timetables.
I was disappointed to your advertising the rugby league world cup match on Sunday 16 November to be broadcast LIVE. By the time you put it to air Australia was leading FIJI 22 nil. Also in the news story about Kempsey having a new speed limit in Elbow Street West Kempsey you showed footage which should be marked as file footage. There was buildings there that no longer exist.
GPT has huge financial woes at present, putting on hold other developments, bleeding financially from the Aussi dollar fall which means the Euro debts are jumping exponentially adn the malls there are failing.A recent desperate attempt to get funds has met poor results. it is being persued by Stockland (alredy 12% ownership) and westfiled(watching for the further property writedowns coming after next month) for break up refinancing.
I serioulsy consider the reason this company has suddenly discovered it “needs” the rail pulled up (and losing easy transport input option wished for by other shopping centres) is for a number of reasons. Firstly it will free up land which can be sold off for rapid capital gain/cash flow etc, secondly it requires enormouw Gov input of funds which will both form as a life rope for this failing company , which will probably require more and more bail out as these funds are channelled to pay debt etc under the table as so many large companies seem to be able to move around without accountablilty their gov fund bailout.
Finally, for those who think it is a good idea and are sold on the spin, consider what has been gained by selling the Musem(and by GPT’s brochure it seems they may be a factor in this debacle as well). Where is the glamour brochure promise of a new museum? this was the promise! Instead we have a 7million buck bill for moving and storing the exhibits (based on 2yrs but now ballooning out even more as the time inceases) with a 7million buck discount sale income for the land. No gain and now no museum.
Wake up to the spin. Have them put the money on the table, their books opened and checked and explain how the traffic will be managed with most of the streets reduced in size and no train. Remember the trafic nightmares when any event is on at the foresshore and how grreat it was to use the train while all eles is gridlock.
Wake up Newcastle, your resou8rces are about to be pillaged again.
As a young adult, i catch the train into newcastle quite often whether it be to go to the the beach to spend time with my friends or to attend church on a sunday night.. Cutting the trainline would be a stupid idea and for whoever does continue to travel into newcastle, stop at wickham and then catch a bus.. Imagine the NEW unneeded traffic!! I myself would have no means of transprtaion other than bus that usually takes 3 times as long to get into Newcastle!
If the government decides to go ahead with these plans they would lose alot of thier frequent visitors. I being one!!!!