Dr Siri Gamage
4 June 2025
Recent floods in mid north coast, closure of the M1/A1 Pacific Highway and the diversion of traffic via A15 New England Highway causing significant damage show us in no uncertain terms that the governments need to plan for future transport needs in New England region with a broader perspective in a wholistic way. Continued insistsnce by two councils in New England and Friends of New England Rail Trail (FoNERT) that they want to remove the rail line north of Armidale between Armidale and Glen Innes(103kms) to build a cycling+walking trail is highly concerning as frequent natural disasters are causing distruptions to existing transport modes and their adverse impact on civilian life and supply chains.
New England Rail Trail (NERT) has been a project supported by two councils in New England for several years i.e. ARC and GISC.
Tenterfield Shire Council passed a motion supporting the re-activation of the GNR rail line north of Armidale to the QLD border at Wallangarra about a year ago.
ARC and GISC, supporting the cycling+walking trail between Armidale and Glen Innes lost two government grants last year. ARC lost $5.4 million and GISC lost $8.7 million. This was a major blow to their on-formation deisgn and campaign. Without funding, the NERT project cannot go ahead however much the trail supporters like to see a cycling+walking trail built in the rail corridor as an on-formation design, which reqires by demolition of the existing rail tracks.
Rail supporters in New England have been opposing the two council plans to build a cycling+walking trail because the plan requires the removal of the existing rail line north of Armidale. We have been insisting that ARC and GISC either build their trail on the side of the existing GNR rail line while retaining the rail infrastructure for future use, or build it using service roads running parallel to the rail line.
The whole community of New England need the GNR railway line for future connectivity between regions, especially with fast growing Queensland, better mobility for our population especially those in vulnerable groups, and to attract more visitors to the Tablelands. Community members who value the GNR line and services it can support again, submitted a 10,740 signature petition to NSW Parliament late in 2023 and it was debated in NSW Parliament in February 2024.
The NSW Minister for Regional Transport at the time, Jenny Aitchison, recognised the need to have another look at the GNR line again but she wants an evidence-based business case.
Who is going to fund such a business case is the million dollar question?
Without an independent feasibility study this cannot be done. All 3 councils in New England should be insisting the NSW Government provides the funding to undertake a Feasibility Study so that we all can understand the benefits and costs of reinstating the GNR line north of Armidale.
This is a way to bring the divided community back together again. There are 4,650 people who oppose the NERT on-Formation design, as evidenced by an online petition.
https://www.change.org/SaveNorthernRailLine
Friends of New England Rail Trail (FoNERT) is holding its annual general meeting in Armidale this week. The question we put to the organisers is whether they have learned anything from the withdrawal of the two grants? Whether they are prepared to listen to the community who oppose they are prepared to listen to the community who need the railway line for future train services? We like to ask the two councils and the FoNERT to reflect carefully and revise their plans in such a way either we go with the community sentiment, join forces and lobby governments for a better share of investments in New England transport infrastructure or whether to continue with their divisive policy and further divide the community of New England?
We like to remind the two councils and the New England community that the plan by New England Railway Inc (NERI) to repair the two diesel sets parked in Armidale shed to operate heritage trains initially between Armidale and Tamworth has the potential to attract more visitors to the region and it is to be supported. As the University of New England is building a campus in Tamworth, such a service can be useful for staff, students and parents. Furthermore, a train service like this can be a game changer for either city as many who seek medical services in Tamworth and beyond can use the train.
Current daily train service to Sydney is not adequate and flights to Sydney are expensive and unreliable. NERI has plans to operate heritage trains north of Armidale as well.NERi has plans to operate heritage trains north of Armidale as well. Email: admin@neri.org.au
Currently Transport for NSW is in the process of seeking feedback from New England residents about their transport needs and suggestions for a Strategic Integrated Regional Transport Plan (SRITP) for our region and plans to complete it early in 2026.
Stay Informed and Get Involved
The New England Network are keen to hear from people across the whole of the New England! If you are interested in being a part of the conversation, email us at yindi1951@gmail.com, and we will provide information on engagement opportunities and how you can contribute to the SRITP for the New England and North West.
www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/new-england-and-north-west
For More Information about New England Network
John Young
Director Strategy
New England Network
yindi.org (our interim website)
WhatsApp: +61 407 940 943