Parkes Shire Council strongly opposes a proposal by the state government to include the Parkes Railway Station as one of 11 across New South Wales to become `unmanned’.
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So much so that they will immediately forward a letter to Local Member Andrew Gee asking him to intervene.
A letter will also be sent to TrainLink to rethink the Parkes situation.
NSW TrainLink has conducted a service review relating to the modernisation of customer service across regional NSW train and coach services.
Under the proposal, 11 NSW stations, including Parkes, would revert to being unattended stations.
Up to 60 positions on stations will be cut due to a drop in face-to-face ticket sales, patronage levels and staff workloads.
Mayor Ken Keith believes NSW TrainLink has ‘lost the plot’ describing the proposal as a detrimental step for Parkes.
“This proposal would not only mean the potential loss of employment for a local member of the community but also the removal of a respected customer services touch point for TrainLink.
“The local station employee has provided exemplary services to the community, particularly senior citizens, who rely on rail services for their public service needs,” Cr Keith said.
“TrainLink seeks to modernise booking methodologies by moving them online or via telephone.
“However, they haven’t considered those people within the community who don’t have access to the Internet or have not adopted the new technology.”
Cr Keith said that TrainLink had already responded to media attention and concerns raised by affected communities.
“TrainLink has indicated it will consult heavily on a station-by-station basis.
“The review could take up to four months to finalise,” Cr Keith said.
He noted however, that TrainLink had decided to keep the Gunnedah Station `manned’.
“Why just Gunnedah and not other stations throughout the state.
“We need to stress to the government through our local member Andrew Gee that the proposal just isn’t right.
“This should be about the people who use rail travel and the long term maintenance of these historic railway stations,” Cr Keith said.
He was fully supported by all councillors at Tuesday’s Council meeting.
Cr Kenny McGrath said council should ‘fight tooth and nail’ on the issue.
“We have the Indian Pacific and freight trains stopping at the station.
“And look at what happens with the arrival of the Elvis Express in January.
“Someone needs to maintain the station if not only to keep the toilets clean.
“This is a very bad move,” he said.
Cr Michael Greenwood pointed out the station officially opened in 1893 and remains one of the town’s most iconic and historic treasures.
“In recent times the platform has been upgraded and there are plans to also upgrade the public toilet facilities,” Cr Greenwood said.
“So this proposal from TransLink is certainly a backwards step.”
He also highlighted the fact the current station master had been on the job for 48 years.
“An unmanned railway station would be detrimental to the shire in light of the fact Parkes leads the field in our push for the progression of the Transport Hub,” Cr Greenwood said.
He said Council needed to ‘stay on the front foot’ with its fight to keep the station manned.
“Otherwise it will be a sad loss,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Cr Barbara Newton described the proposal as lacking forsite.
“With no-one there to man the station, or in control day or night, anything could happen.
“And besides, not everyone can drive or fly to where they want to go and need to travel by train,” Cr Newton said.
Cr Alan Ward described the proposal as `another way for the government to cut costs.’
Meanwhile, Transport NSW TrainLink said regional customers can continue to obtain information and purchase tickets at www.nswtrainlink.info, on 132 232, or pay for their booked tickets at an Australia Post outlet.
