keep the rail line in place. after broadmeadow station run it underground to newcastle. After newcastle station turn the train line under the harbour, put a station at stockton and then run a line up to williamtown airport, with a link to nelson bay in mind. not many cities are trying to remove their transport infrastructure, most are trying to extend it. think outside the square. i dont know how successful a ferry transport system would be between the nominated suburbs but it could make for a nice tourist attraction.

Is it possible to navigate a ferry to Maitland. Could be an alternative to train travel. the ferry could have wharves at various points along the Hunter River.

this council has been in place for a little over a year. I think the problems started a long long time before that

great idea about the escalator. do the same thing at queens wharf, and a few other locations. its not the railway line that stops people going over to the mall its the stairs

great idea. if one of the average of 27 passengers decides they want to go across to stockton rather than uise the perfectly functioning ferry lets spend billions putting an underground rail line there to service 3-4 passengers. You should run a business judge. Just don't expect to make money from it with this logic.

im not trying to run a business. im wanting to see a public transport infrastructure built that will link the city to the airport. running it past stockton will see stockton boom and aid in the city revitalisation. didnt give it much thought really did you......

it doesn't require much thought. 27 passengers per train, so lets expand it. Daft.

Agree with you on that one Fista as current users of the ferry actually get off the Ferry in Stockton and catch a Port Stephens bus as that is how low the Williamtown airport users numbers are. Why do you think the Belmont Heavy Rail line was closed for years ago= lack of numbers. The only time Williamtown is a popular destination is within School Holidays other than that good luck!

thats 27 ferry passengers between stocko and newy.... how many more would use it if they could then go on to hamilton, broadmeadow etc??? and how many would use the train to go to the airport? or didn't you think about that one? think outside the box your in.

The train line to Newcastle must remain open. Only myopic cities close public transport links. The rail will be more than required when the university relocates many faculties to the city. The clientele of the justice precinct will need transport to the city. Many specialist doctors and surgeons still maintain rooms in the CBD. Why remove a train that provides the needy and the elderly with an affordable link. My kids still use the train to get to Newcastle Beach from Fassifern most weekends. GPT, Aaron Buman and the doomsayers want to rip out rail at all costs. They make no plans for proper integration of rail. Might I also suggest that we rip down the rail fences while keeping the train into Newcastle. Access to the foreshore can be assured. All we need to do is what San Diego in the USA does. Slow the big trains down in the city precinct. San Diego has had few deaths or injuries in the last 18 years. They have access across heavy rail to a waterfront. Let pedestrians have their freedom but take responsibility for safe crossing.