News Release:
Armidale train: $50 million student economy 'at risk'
| Date 10/11/03 No 200/03 The University of New England is continuing its strong opposition to the proposed axing of the CountryLink rail service to Armidale, contending that any review of the service must address the social and economic impact of such a cut. UNE, represented by Ingrid Rothe, Director of Marketing and Public Affairs, presented its concerns directly to the NSW Transport Minister's Chief of Staff, Jack Whelan, today. This follows last month's meeting in Armidale with the Minister, Michael Costa. The University is optimistic that the CountryLink Solutions Team can negotiate a successful outcome. Ms Rothe told Mr Whelan that UNE would be greatly disadvantaged if the rail service were discontinued. In addition, any negative economic impact on the University would flow through as a severe negative impact on the economic development of Armidale and the New England region. UNE's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ingrid Moses, has said (at the time of Mr Costa's visit to Armidale) that the proposed cut of service would "jeopardise Armidale's future as a convention and university city, quite apart from the burden it would place on students, the elderly, and other regular train users". Ms Rothe pointed out that UNE is the largest employer in the region
and, as such, is a key contributor to the Armidale and New England
economy. She then presented figures on the annual influx of students
to Armidale. |
"With 4,504 internal students contributing $45,040,000 (a minimum of $10,000 each), and 9,480 external students attending residential schools contributing $4,740,000 (a minimum $500 each), the annual contribution to the local economy is $49,780,000," she said. She referred to a recent survey that showed that 25 per cent of external students attending residential schools used public transport to come to Armidale. "Even minor reductions in UNE's student numbers will have significant socioeconomic impact on both UNE and Armidale," Ms Rothe explained. " When attracting students to attend a regional campus we also need to attract them to living in Armidale. The economic impact to Armidale through loss of tourism or decline in further economic development will have a negative impact on student recruitment." She said UNE praised the active support and participation of the local community, which had been a critical element in the "Save the Train” campaign to date. "The local community has clearly indicated that it supports a review of the service," she said, "but that it does not and cannot support the axing of a service that is essential to our region’s continued economic growth." Media contact: Ingrid Rothe, Director, Marketing and Public Affairs, UNE, on 0418 270 301 or Jim Scanlan, Public Relations, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 3049. |
