BEFORE the naysayers dismiss Jo Gash’s call to have the rail line extended from Bomaderry all the way to the Victorian border, the vision should be examined.

In an age of spiralling fuel prices and virtually nonexistent public transport, consideration should be given to alternative, more efficient forms of transport that will be able to sustain regional centres such as Nowra, if not actually encourage growth.

Extending rail is a big idea, perhaps too big for a State Government that appears incapable of managing the transport issues that dog its capital, let alone taking on something on this scale. A rail link along the coast to Victoria is nation-building stuff that is long overdue, thanks in part to this country’s love affair with the motor car.

The sceptics will try to shoot down the idea but that should not deter Mrs Gash or others who share her vision. After all, the same type of people scoffed at the Snowy scheme and were proved wrong.

As the NRMA reports a big downturn in people embarking on road trips for their holidays because of the high cost of fuel, rail presents an attractive alternative that should be given serious thought, especially for regions such as ours that are highly dependent on tourism.

At the very least the existing services should be brought up to a modern standard and not allowed to deteriorate further.