Lithgow's future as a possible railway hub was discussed as part of State Election candidates' vision for the future of the region's rail system.
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At a forum held in Bathurst on Wednesday night, March 20, candidates were asked their thoughts on creating a decent railway system across the Blue Mountains.
All of the candidates present said they supported the idea as a way not only to ease congestion on roads but to build opportunities for job creation in Lithgow. Bathurst MP Paul Toole was not in attendance due to a prior commitment while Sustainable Australia's Michael Begg did attend but did not take an active part in the forum.
Country Labor candidate Beau Riley outlined during the forum the importance of finding more jobs for Lithgow. In discussing the rail line, he discussed the possibility of creating an industrial centre outside Lithgow that would take produce off trucks and distribute further via rail.
"Yeah, that would be really good, wouldn't it? The feasibility study has already been done, it's been sent back in, and I haven't got a reply yet, but that's what I'm asking for," he said.
"What did I say? I want jobs for Lithgow. The regions down there, they need something because they did shut down Wallerawang Power Station, that [idea] would tick all of those boxes."
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Brenden May, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate said he personally would love to see improvements in rail.
"It's essential to open up the central west region and the rest of Australia. It would definitely get trucks off the road," he said.
David Harvey from The Greens said "our forefathers had the commonsense to build railways around NSW and they're in disuse".
"You're talking about produce getting into the city. The M5 is mad ... every Monday morning it is just chockers, it's madness. If those trucks [loads] get on at Lithgow, that's a great idea, it's fantastic."
While Tim Hansen from Keep Sydney Open admitted that a rail network was outside of his area of expertise, he said he always preferred rail over roads.