Better Treatment from Government Necessary - Rail Reactivation - Armidale to Queensland

New England deserves a Better future with rail -Cross border Connection is a Must

For more than 30 years, successive NSW governments—Labor and Coalition—have neglected the transport needs of communities north of Armidale to the Queensland border.

The Minns Government’s Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plans should provide a long-term vision for regional connectivity. Yet where is the commitment to investigate restoring rail services north of Armidale?

As the next state election approaches, residents should look beyond promises of road repairs and ask what each party will do to improve regional public transport. Road maintenance is essential, but it does not meet the needs of people who cannot drive or afford a car.

We are waiting to hear clear regional rail policies from One Nation and the Greens, alongside commitments from Labor and the Coalition. Victoria’s substantial investment in regional rail shows what political commitment can achieve. NSW should show similar ambition for its Country Regional Network.

Community advocates have submitted petitions with more than 10,000 signatures. Those voices deserve a meaningful response.

With the future of Inland Rail north of Parkes in question, the case for investigating a second inland rail connection between NSW and Queensland deserves serious attention. The Great Northern Railway corridor should be assessed for its potential to improve passenger travel, freight movement and transport resilience.

The NSW Government should take the initiative and seek federal cooperation and funding.

Our regional communities deserve a clear rail policy, an independent feasibility study and a genuine place in the state’s transport future.