Despite long-standing community calls for better public transport and a return of the rail service, AND despite a funded proposal on the table for a tourist railway between Korrumburra and Leongatha on the existing South Gippsland Railway, the un-elected administrators of the South Gippsland Shire Council have begun ripping up the railway tracks..

Administrators say this will allow extension of the Great Southern Rail Trail - but have admitted they don't have sufficient funds to complete or maintain the rail trail.

Ripping up these publicly-owned tracks would permanently destroy the train line, making the return of much-needed public rail transport far more difficult and expensive.

Removing the tracks in a hurry appears to be a clear attempt to sabotage any other proposal for the rail corridor.

Rail trails and operating tourist railways can co-exist, and do so around the world. We shouldn't have to choose between these, and the undemocratic administrators should not have the right to rip publicly-funded and owned infrastructure!

Join us at the @Rail Trail + Railway, Community Rally and BBQ this Monday (Labour Day) at the old Ruby Train Station site near Leongatha, to find out more and join the call! Details at: http://www.facebook.com/events/1280573602131815/