Article: Burnie rail to be sold

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From The Advocate click here!

Burnie rail to be sold

Burnie rail to be sold
BY SEAN FORD
18 Jul, 2012 12:00 AM

BURNIE'S heritage rail engines and dining car will be put on the market.

Aldermen last night voted to seek expressions of interest in the assets.

They also backed a motion from Ald Malcolm Ryan to work with the owners of Baltimore Restaurant - next to where the rail stock is kept - to find a suitable solution for the owners.

He suggested a mural with a rail theme as a possibility.

The council has spent more than $300,000 buying and improving the assets, which have stood idle since 2006.

One of the engines was badly damaged in an alleged arson incident recently.

It was insured.

Ald Anita Dow noted there would be some community discontent if the assets were sold.

Aldermen watered down a push from Ald Jim Altimira to write to federal politicians expressing support for a refugee centre in Burnie.

"The main purpose is that people are dying," he said.

"While the government doesn't take any positive action, more people will die."

Ald Ryan said Tasmania already had the (currently disused) facility at Pontville and if asylum seekers were to be brought to the state they should be taken there.

Ald Steve Green moved an alternative recommendation prepared by staff.

That was for the council to invite representatives of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and other relevant agencies to a workshop to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with detention facilities and community programs.

That was supported.

Aldermen rejected Ald Altimira's motion for a one-off amnesty for people owing outstanding rates to be spared penalties if they paid in full by September 30.

Ald James Simpson said he was not comfortable with the principle or the precedent.

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Due to their similarity to the 1800 class that were operated here they could find a home either at Rosewood or Swanbank.