While Transport for NSW is currently going through all of the community submissions for feedback on the Draft New England North West Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP), the work to protect our transport future hasn’t stopped! Today, a formal strategic strategy has been sent directly to the Federal Transport Minister, Catherine King. 
With the mega-billion-dollar Inland Rail project north of Parkes officially on hold, we are presenting the Federal Government with the ultimate common-sense, budget-friendly alternative that fits perfectly into the region’s long-term planning: Reactivating our historic Great Northern Railway (GNR) line!
We are shifting the entire conversation to what matters most—OUR PEOPLE. This isn’t just about tracks; it’s about social justice, safety, and equity for the New England and Northern Tablelands:
Below is an outline of the letter to Minister Catherine King
1. Equity for Our Aging Population, People with Disabilities & Disadvantaged Residents
It is completely unfair that our elderly, residents with disabilities, and those without cars are being left stranded. If society wants older drivers to safely transition off the roads, the government MUST provide a dignified, accessible alternative. A community bus or a volunteer tricycle charity cannot replace the smooth, weather-proof, mobility-scooter-friendly lifeline of a passenger train to get people to vital capital city medical appointments!
2. Urgent Public Safety on the New England Highway
Every single day, everyday families in cars are forced to share single lanes and steep climbs with massive 60-tonne B-Double trucks. Moving regional timber, livestock, and produce to rail removes those heavy trucks from our highway… directly saving lives and making our roads safer for everyone.
3. A Smart, “Right-Sized” Cross-Border Solution
We already own the corridor! As you can see in this fantastic historic photo, our tracks run right to the Queensland border at Wallangarra. By reactivating this link and joining with the Queensland Southern line right through to Toowoomba and then on to Brisbane, we can restore a complete interstate passenger and freight network. Using modern track rehabilitation and clever train technology allows us to unlock this vital asset at a fraction of the cost, completely avoiding western floodplains and saving taxpayers billions.
Even better? The NSW Government’s incoming regional trains have built-in bike spaces! Restoring the train actually helps tourism by letting cyclists bring their bikes right into the heart of our gorgeous region without clogging up the highway with cars. 
Over 10,740 of us stood up and signed the petition. We aren’t going to let our transport future be short-changed or turned into a localized bike path that locks out freight and passengers forever. We are demanding a full, joint Federal-State study to look after everyone in our community.
WE NEED YOUR VOICES! CANBERRA NEEDS TO HEAR US! 
Don’t let my letter be the only one on her desk. I am strongly encouraging every single resident who wants safer roads, better public transport, and real equity for our elderly, people with disabilities and disadvantaged members of our communities to send their own email to Minister King! Tell her why this line matters to you and your family.
Email her directly at: Minister.King@mo.infrastructure.gov.au
Let’s flood her inbox with the passion of the New England!
Image credit: A fantastic blast from the past via the Australian Rail Maps Facebook page, showing NSW locomotive 4908 and QLD locomotive 1225 sitting at the head of their respective trains either side of the platform of the state border break-of-gauge station at Wallangarra on 4th August 1985.
Australian Rail Maps Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/share/1Go5WVATny/
DownunderCountrygirl
19-jun-2026