Newcastle Council has moved a motion pushing the extension of Newcastle's light rail network from Wickham to Broadmeadow, also branching out to areas like Hunter Stadium, Callaghan and Newcastle Airport.
The New South Wales government put together a business plan in 2015, but there has been little movement on the development since.
In the Review of Environmental Factors, the initial blueprint layout of the light rail passed despite significant opposition from Greens Councillor Therese Doyle.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes is urging the state government to seriously plan the light rail's extension after strong community support emphasised in recent times.
"The motion has been passed for some time now. That planning and the extension of the network will take years to deliver, but that work to plan it and map out those corridors needs to start as soon as possible."
Mayor Nelmes said it is essential to have a fully integrated transport network that connect work and leisure in the greater metropolitan area.
"We're looking to connect the major educational, employment and health areas where people work and recreate throughout the city.
"What we want to see is a public transport network that is viable and easy to use, and an option for Novocastrians into the future besides driving individual vehicles."
 |
| Image Credit: http://www.rpsgroup.com/Australia-Asia-Pacific/Projects/Newcastle-Light-Rail-Project,-NSW.aspx |
