I wanted to make a submission as part of the consultation on the Armidale Rail Trail. I went to the website, read the instructions, and froze.
Comments can’t be anonymous. Must provide name and address. Create an account. Be identifiable.
Normally that would be fine, I don’t have a problem putting my name to my thoughts ordinarily. But any time you say anything against the bloody rail trail the abuse is so intense. These one-eyed privileged fools are so good at silencing anyone that doesn’t agree with them, it’s genuinely scary.
And no, I’m not in the camp that think the train is coming back. But I wanted to comment that I don’t support the rail trail, I don’t want our council to be wasting money on this silly project – if some private developer wants to do it, go for it, but this is not what we pay rates for.
For the first time in my life, I’ve had to ask for a payment plan for my rates. I make good money, but the rates are so crazy high now that it’s just too much. No amount of people on bikes having a good time while I work my tail off is going to have any impact on my ability to pay my bills, it’s just going to make other people wealthy. This is not fair, it is not ok, and I wanted to say that formally… on the record, as part of the consultation.
But I’m terrified if I do so there will be retribution. Friends who support the project won’t talk to me anymore. It may even affect my ability to do my job, as a person in our management team is a very big fan of this thing.
So I will yell my objections into the ether, and hope that others braver than me will make these points for me through the formal channels. And that somehow, somewhere, something will finally get through to the thick heads at Armidale Regional Council and they will realise how much pain they cause the community.
Author identified by New England Times Engage and published anonymously at the writer’s request. See our guidelines for more information on publishing anonymously.
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