Dear rail supporters,

There are a few new developments to report.  

Armidale Regional Council(ARC) has released draft plan for the next 10 years.  Called Advancing Our Region: your community plan 2022-2032, the plan is presented undr six themes: 1.thriving region 2. connected region, future region,liveable region,enriched region, and strong region. Under Connected region, it talks about better connectivity between regions but lacks specific strategies to renew train services beyond Armidale to the north? To be a thriving and liveable region, ARC should be an advocate for renewing future rail services for tourism, freight and passengers with the NSW State government during the next 10 years.Instead the plan focuses on roads, footpaths and cycleways. This can't be a future focused plan unless the above element is included! To our north, Queensland is powering ahead with various developments. Tourism can boom with forthcoming Olympics. Why not connect with that region? Send your comments on the plan to the General manager, ARC before june 8th.

Submissions are invited and must be addressed to the General Manager, Armidale Regional Council, PO Box 75A, Armidale NSW 2350 or sent by email to council@armidale.nsw.gov.au(External link)
Submissions can also be dropped off at either Armidale or Guyra Civic Administration Buildings.

Please visit this link to access the documents, seek further information or to make a submission: 

https://yoursay.armidale.nsw.gov.au/councils-strategic

2. An Organic Food manufacturer who has operations in major cities currently is looking to relocate to Black Mountain or Llen Gothlin area in New England. He thinks the area offers the best position in terms of climate, relative isolation for processing orgasnic food, and transporting by rail to Tamworth intermodel trerminal. He needs to transport 20 large containers a week to Tamworth and back once a week. He is willing to invest 4-5 million to restore the rail line up to Armidale to carry his goods.  Once restored, the line can be used by others for tourist trains and transporting other produce.  He is in discussions with ARC to obtain pre-approval before talking to the builders, landholders along the line etc. His interest is onluy to restore the line fit for his purpose -not to carry large coal containers.  One in 4 sleepers need replacing with steel sleepers.There are no bridges between Armidale and Llen Gothlin to repair. 

3. Hon. Catherine king has been appointed as the minister for infrastructure, transport,regional developoment and local government in the new Labor cabinet.  Once she settles in the new ministry, we should write to her emphasising the importance of northern rail line from Armidale to Queensland border and request her to initiate discussions with NSW and Queensland governments  to conduct a feasibility study for the line's restoration so that New England can be connected with Brisbane.  Remember the Victorian government is spending over 4 billion(with Federal funding) to renew its regional rail lines.  NSW government is spending about $400 million only. NSW has more non-operational rail lines than operational lines. More to come on this in due course.  This shows the importance that NSW government has placed on regional rail line renewal!