Environmentalists, commuters, scientists and members of The Greens discussed the looming energy crisis and the social and environmental costs of massive highway upgrades, which many believe are for the benefit of trucking companies, and not to improve safety for motorists.

Dr Philip Laird from Wollongong University spoke to the forum on the benefits of encouraging centralised development in proximity to rail lines, while ecologist Mark Graham highlighted the disastrous environmental impacts of massive multiple upgrades to the Pacific Highway.

“A couple of interesting resolutions came out of the forum,” Mr Graham said.

“There was a call for State and Federal Government to divert funding from the motorway to rail for a more sustainable future,” Mr Graham said.

He said discussions also focused on the efficiency of road funding versus rail funding.

Groups from Armidale to Tweed Heads and Port Macquarie attended the forum, showing a level of concern regarding this issue is present in the general community.

“This is something that has got to be driven from within the community,” Mr Graham said.

NSW Greens transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon attended the forum, warning peak oil and petrol prices would require Federal and State Government to upgrade rail services and adopt a moratorium on oil-dependent infrastructure.

“Oil vulnerability, alongside climate change, is one of the key challenges of our time, but the NSW Government has done nothing to prepare for its massive ramifications,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“No where is the need for action on peak oil clearer than the Northern NSW, where the Government has slashed rail services while investing significantly in the Pacific Highway upgrade.”