Saving Countrylink

DavidB · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2003 4:24 pm

The official word as of this morning is that no decisions have yet been made on any Countrylink service and won't be made until about December. There have been inferences from various MPs that the decision will be taken at Cabinet level and will be heavily influenced by the Premier.

So the message is to write to Bob Carr in the next week or so. Carr is definately more level headed than Costa and can see the big picture. To make sure your letter has the greatest impact, follow the usual protocols for writing to elected officials. Put it in writing, i.e. on paper and not by email. For each letter received on a given topic, it is assumed that 200 people have that view. The more letters received, the more credence it will be given. This doesn't apply to emails.

Address it to:

The Hon Bob Carr MP
Level 40 Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
Sydney, NSW 2000

Address him as "Dear Premier".

It's best not to be overtly critical. Be polite and write from the point of view of a concerned citizen. Try to avoid any inference that you are a railfan. Put it in terms of being "concerned" about the various "rumours" and "proposals" to cut Countrylink services purely on economic grounds. Mention the effect that cutting services would have on regional communities.

If you live in NSW, send a copy of the letter to your local Member. You can find addresses at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Put a Cc on the letter to the Premier so he knows your local Member is getting a copy. You might wish to add a covering note to your local Member.

Doesn't matter if you're not old enough to vote. If you live in NSW and are aged 14-17, state your age and make the point that any decisions about Countrylink may influence the way you vote at the 2007 election.

If you live in the ACT, Victoria or Queensland, make the point that although you do not live in NSW you are concerned because Countrylink operates the service to where you live.

On the whole, keep it brief (one page), polite and to the point. If the letter is short there is a better chance that it will be shown to the Premier personally. Although any replies will be prepared by a staffer for him to sign.

Cheers
David

XP2009 · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2003 4:58 pm

Thanks for that just typed up my letter ill post it here if you like or i can PM you

let me know whats best i would like it checked before i send it off

DavidB · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2003 5:29 pm

dg44 · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2003 6:20 pm

For all those who live in Sydney in the Bankstown area the local CountryLink in association with the unions are organizing a potition TO SAVE COUNTRYLINK SERVICES the boys there have also told me that they're are not excepting any CountryLink train services bookings after January 31 2004 ??????? for now but that could change.
I don't know if any other CountryLink offices have the potition going but with the unions help they probely are.
Cheers David.G

XP2009 · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2003 6:27 pm

Good

here is the post

Dear Premier
I am concerned about the rumours of Countrylink getting service cuts. Since this service runs to Melbourne and I use it maybe twice a year and would keep using. I am concerned that the fact is if Countrylink stop running services to Melbourne how am I suppose to get to Sydney. No I am not the sort of person that enjoys flying I would rather take it slow and steady I am asking that you please keep all services running to their usual time and schedule.

Yours truly,

Joel Rowse

Cheers Joel

DavidB · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2003 6:34 pm

mjja · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 1:12 pm

Ah! It actually asks him to do something positive, not just avoiding doing anything negative! Good.

Bet he doesn't though.

Happy Gunzelling and remember, "Go by rail!"

Michael Angelico
President, Smart Passengers Inc
(My opinions are my own unless specifically stated.)

pennoes · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 5:09 pm

Let me just encourage you to take the advice of David if you are interested in saving countrylink.
Politicians will only listen if we write to them to raise the profile of the issue.

I might add one more thing: perhaps you could provide some very basic & brief suggestions for improvements rather than cutbacks eg:
Suggest, politely, that rather than cutting back services, improvements to existing infrastructure, trains (eg upgrade to faster tilt-trains), and timetabling would be helpful in providing a better service to regional NSW and intercity capitals.

As has been mentioned, be positive and sound responsible and rational - this way you will be much more likely to be listened to.

XP2009 · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 8:36 pm

David thanks for your help thier can i use this if you dont mind to send off to the Premier as i am sending it off tomorow

Cheers Joel

ParkesHub · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 8:59 pm

You are exactly right, David. Polite and to the point is what works. Annunciate facts as well but stick to the issue.

As a company, FCL lobbies politicians all the time about rail issues. This is the way that has voice.

DavidB · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 10:47 am

ParkesHub · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 12:02 pm

XP2009 · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 12:03 pm

Thanks hopefully Mum posted it for me today

Cheers Joel

Rob · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 1:14 pm

My Effort...

Dear Premier,

I am concerned about the rumoured cuts to CountryLink rail services, especially those to rural New South Wales.

I believe these services represent an important link between our regional centres and Sydney. I feel that their removal will increasingly isolate those who live in the bush.

New South Wales needs a quality and safe infrastructure which only rail can provide. The removal of trains will put more cars on the road, not to mention long distance buses.

This will have an adverse effect on the road toll, especially at peak holiday times, when our roads are already overcrowded.

Please look at making the revitalisation of our rail system a priority. I notice recent improvements to rail services in Queensland and Victoria, yet New South Wales appears set to go backwards.

As a regular user of Xplorer services, I find them to be clean and comfortable. I would suggest that the market of these services could be opened up to private operators, with some incentives to putting passenger services ‘back on the rails’ and keeping them off the road.

My only complaint about these trains is that they don’t go everywhere I go! Should more train services be introduced, I’ll be leaving the car at home.

Please look at this issue as a ‘quality of country life’ issue, and at least promise to maintain the services that we still do have.

Yours sincerely,

DavidB · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 2:30 pm