Ms Goward said water availability was, in her view, one of the limiting factors that had to be considered when the conversation turned to development along the southern railway line and subsequent electrification.

She also added such growth also had to be balanced against the region’s prime grazing and farming land adding, “we have to find another way of approaching major development along this corridor”.

“If you electrify you have to straighten the route and given the overall cost of electrifying 200km of line, there would be other people in NSW saying they could better use the multiple of billions of dollars such a project would cost,” she said.

Ms Goward also challenged STRUG to find out what the ownership issues between the State Government and the Australian Rail Track Corporation, (which took up a 60 year lease of the main interstate rail corridor in 2004), suggesting it may not accommodate electrification.

“I don’t know what the current contractual arrangements are or would we need to build a separate line but STRUG needs to examine the ownership issues and the green economics of electrification.”

“As I have said at a number of forums, Goulburn is not supported by a regional population of 100,000 people capable of justifying electrification.”

In praising STRUG for offering a strong voice for rail, Ms Goward said she was constantly lobbying for better services, more trains and cleaner carriages.

“Unlike many (election) candidates, I constantly travel by NSW Trainlink but I don’t believe our line is any different to anywhere else.”

“I am here tonight as your local member and I can not announce a vision other than I agree Goulburn does need more frequent and faster trains.

“But two car diesel train carriages cost some $24 million while an engine [locomotive] costs $200 million!” The meeting, held at the Goulburn Workers’ Club Station Room was also attended by the Mayor Cr Geoff Kettle and representatives from all political parties.

* Leon Oberg is the retiring STRUG secretary.