ABC: Rural report for Western Queensland

[ozbob]

http://www.abc.net.au/rural/regions/content/201007/2944667.htm?site=westqld

LNP say cattle train services, roads and health key issues for bush

For the first time ever, John Paul Langbroek, the leader of the opposition has visited the central west to meet locals.

Mr Langbroek as well as three opposition ministers attended a meet and greet in Winton on Friday night and then held a policy forum on Saturday to hear the issues of the community.

Mr Langbroek says the centralisation of state services as well as the lack of transport, infrastructure and health services are the main grievances people in the west have told him about.

Former mayor and resident of Winton, Bruce Collins says he's pleased to see any side of government in town and interested to hear what locals have to say.

[ozbob]

Media Release 19 July 2010

Queensland:  Cattle trains are smart

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for continued support for rural producers through subsidised Cattletrain services (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Public subsidies to support Cattletrain services are sensible. The Queensland Government has indicated that some subsidy for Cattletrain is to be provided (1). The costs of road freight though is very heavily subsidised by other road users, light vehicle users pay the majority of road taxes. Heavy vehicles are responsible for most of the damage to roads, and in actual fact road transport is very heavily subsidised by the community at a great cost to the environment; at a great cost in terms of road trauma and subsequent health care expenditure, and at a great cost in terms of social dislocation. This 'community subsidy' for road transport pales into insignificance for the cost-effective subsidy for Cattletrain services."

"The Queensland Government needs to maximise efforts to get bulk freight onto rail, including cattle. This means competitive pricing to encourage maximum use of rail. It is the safe, sustainable and truly the most cost effective way of transporting bulk freight."

"We have a rail network in place, time it was used to the maximum for the benefit of all of Queensland. More and more heavy vehicles on Queensland roads is just going to lead to massive costs (2)."

References:

1.  http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/legislativeAssembly/hansard/documents/2010.pdf/2010_07_15_EST_C.pdf

2.  http://www.jplangbroek.com/cattle-train-fee-hike-means-more-trucks/

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org