The Beaumont St pamphlet

Below is a copy of the text of the pamphlet that we are now distributing up and down Beaumont St, to alert business, workers and people who use and love Beaumont St of Labor's plan to cut the street in two. Click here to see the media release.

Labor puts Beaumont Street up for the chop

The current Labor state member for Newcastle, Jodi McKay, is backing a rail plan that would close Beaumont Street’s level crossing, and kill Hamilton’s commercial vitality.

The recent state government plan for cutting the Newcastle rail line at Wickham found that the Beaumont Street level crossing “is required to be closed”¹ to make the plan work, because trains would have to be stabled at Hamilton.

Beaumont Street traders and customers depend on the north-south connection provided by the level crossing across the rail line. Severing Beaumont Street on either side of Hamilton Station would cut a vital artery that feeds the commercial heart of Beaumont Street.

No business impact study has been carried out – or even suggested - for the proposal to cut Beaumont Street in two. As possible “solutions”, the study suggests an underpass or bridge, noting major problems with an underpass.

Imagine how far a bridge over the Beaumont St rail crossing would have to extend along Beaumont Street, and what this would do to the street’s atmosphere, which is so much part of its appeal and commercial vitality.

• If you run a business in or near Beaumont Street, Labor’s plan puts your livelihood under threat.
• If you work in or near Beaumont Street, Labor’s plan puts your job at risk.
• If you enjoy a meal or a coffee at Beaumont Street’s excellent restaurants or cafes, Labor’s plan could ruin this part of your lifestyle.

If you care about the survival of Beaumont Street, contact the Labor member for Newcastle, Jodi McKay, and tell her that Beaumont St can’t be sacrificed to cut the Newcastle rail line.

At the same time, ask the Coalition what they would do about this proposal if they win government, because Newcastle’s only elected Liberal (Councillor Brad Luke) has strongly supported cutting the Newcastle rail line.

And ask the Independent candidate, John Tate, to state his position on this proposal, because he is also on the record as supporting the proposal to cut the rail line.

Like you, The Greens care about Beaumont Street and its contribution to Newcastle’s quality of life.

The Greens don’t support the proposal to cut Beaumont St or the rail line, and we won’t turn our backs on Beaumont Street.

If you care about the future of Beaumont St, Vote 1 The Greens on March 26

1 AECOM, Preliminary Assessment of Newcastle Truncation Wickham Station, 11 November 2010, p.26 (see: http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/newcastle-truncation-wickham-station).