This is good news. The Peninsular district has been has been dying for years, some say since Johns (Manchester store opposite DJs) left the city and the Mall went in. Opening up the city and keeping the corridor in public ownership is also sensible. Bus public Transport is the most environmentally sustainable, especially if they can be run on Natural Gas, refilled from a central facility in the Woodville Junction Triangle.

If everything is on the table where is the statistics to prove that the projections are logical. Their track record on managing and redeveloping the CBD is pathetic with a population growth in the last five year census period of only 135 people after the expenditure of huge $ compared to Islington with 134 peolpe increase on almost no dollars. Don't forget that Newcastles polulation peaked in 1971 and we still have to find another 4000 people to reach the old high. Also don't forget that the Newcastle LGA is only very tiny. Smaller than Gosford and half the size of Blacktown. It is much smaller than Lake Macquarie. Its time to relocate the CBD and convert the area to the Newcastle Peninsula. The Tourist and residential mecca of the East Coast of Australia

Good! At least there is some acknowledgement that the rail isn't NECESSARILY the best option for the future. Of course the land should remain in public ownership. It is pretty much uneconomic for development anyway. And, of course, more flexible, socially compatible transport options must be assessed. No brainer! Heavy rail ain't the most user frienly technology in the world my a long shot. Newcastle is such a great city, it seems a shame to close our minds to 'what could be'. Let the HDC do their work (and please dear Lord, let this be the last study.......), and then DECIDE. Move on. Nobody lives forever.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT LET THE REMOVAL OF THIS UGLY DINOSAUR GET IN THE WAY OF REVITALISING THE NEWCASTLE CBD. I HONESTLY JUST DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW ANYONE CAN LOOK AT THIS EYESORE WHICH DIVIDES OUR CITY FROM OUR BEAUTIFUL FORESHORE SAY THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE REMOVED. FOR HEAVENS SAKE WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT A MAJOR STATION LIKE CENTRAL.

Its Jodi McKay that has hit the pause button and not unexpectedly either. Time to assess/cost all the options, including retention. If Wickham goes ahead, connectivity between the west end and the east end is needed. Conventional Light Rail would not be viable for a 2.2 klm stretch. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)would be a cost effective option. However, Bristol in the UK, are looking at putting in (ULR) Ultra-Light Rail. ULR requires, no electrification, no overhead wires, vehicles are hybrid drive (like a Toyota Prius), require a bus type depot/bus operating organisation. We could build such vehicles in Newcastle, and even export them interstate/overseas. You can view the Bristol City proposal at: www.ultralightrail.com/Bristol_13 .10.pdf It is very interesting and well worth a look. Maintaining Heavy Rail should also be looked at, including the termination at Civic (If technically/physically possible). As ULR is cost effective it could later be expanded for other routes in the inner city. The Ultra Light Rail concept can be viewed at www.ultralightrail.com Its just a concept site. I'm still open to other suggestions though.

There is movement at the station, for the word is getting around, nobody wants the bl---y rail line in town. So all the people gathered to the call and voiced their opinions loud and clear, now progress is gathering momentum lets hope it doesn't stall.

Poll results are interesting. Too late to remove the wool Ms Mckay, you have been duped.

As long as it is replaced with light rail, then removing it is fine by me. If the alternative is just more buses, then I'm sure many people would have an issue. Let's see the State Government finally spend a bit of money in Newcastle, and provide a decent light rail system - which could later be expanded to service more of the city.

It's totally ludicrous that Minister for The Hunter & Newcastle MP Jodi McKay thinks that the valid Newcastle City Rail Service should be placed in the hands of developers, HDC & left at the whim of the Government to make the final decisions on the "the optimum solution for redevelopment of the CBD". The point & concerns from public & many individual taxpaying Hunter Valley, Newcastle & Lake Macquarie Residents is that if this vital & most major public transport service is taken away, including the major risk of no more Civic or Newcastle Train Stations. This would be disastrous for all. Firstly there would end the only regular public transport into Newcastle City for Hunter Valley residents, who use it for many reasons including paid jobs, volunteer work. Plus Newcastle City would suffer from less patronage, tourism & regular commuters coming from any area into Newcastle City. This includes train travellers from Sydney wanting to go directly into Newc. City & Hunter Valley, which means LESS BUSINESS FOR NEWCASTLE CITY. Removing the existing train services from Civic & Newcastle Train Stations will NOT serve to renew Newcastle City but only serve to decrease its vitality, business & tourism. Of which should be promoted, funded, & kept as the 2ND LARGEST CITY~REGION IN NSW OUTSIDE OF SYDNEY... More government money { it's the people's afterall } should be wisely invested, in better & improved existing train services including keeping Wickham, Civic & Newcastle Train Stations; which will keep this great city alive, removing it won't. The public rail system should not be sold, but kept with who it truly belongs & has rights ie to the people of Newcastle, Hunter Valley & Lake Macquarie who are all GST & INCOME TAXPAYERS TOO. We have same rights as any other city or town residents across Australia & NSW.

I guess this is the end of Newcastle rail line. All the people making the decisions will of course never catch public transport, so they won't really care. It will also be the end of being able to view the harbour from Hunter street. I wonder how the shadows will fall from all the towering buildings built upon the once rail line.