Dear all, 

It is very important that you check your enrollment status before you can be eligibale to vote on March 25th. Today is the last day to enroll. Contact NSW Election Commission. Armidale office is in Danger Street.
 
https://elections.nsw.gov.au/voters/enrol-to-vote

Who to vote in the election is your choice but keep in mind the following:

• Major parties have not released their regional infrastructure/transport  development policies including  extensions to train services.  Current NSW government regional Transport Plan does not include even a single extension to train services beyond Armidale to Queensland border for the next 30 years. In fact, the future transport plan has deleted the section between Armidale and Wallangarra from the map.
• NSW government (and for that matter labor opposition supported Rail Trail Bill in 2022 that gives more power to the regional transport and roads minister to detrmine which proposal to construct a rail trail or road in unused rail corridor by a council  is to be approved.  Until this bill was passed by the Coalition and Labor, the minister had to bring an amendment to the Transport Administration Act 1989 in order to close a railway line in the regions.  During the debate Labor members expressed their support for rail trails as did Coalition members in both houses. Nice words for rail were also expressed. But what mattere was voting behaviour by MPs and MLCs.
• Unlike in Victoria that spends over 4 billion for regional rail renewal, NSW government provides funds to councils to tear up existing railway infrastructure to build rail trails.  Many of us believe this is not in the long term interest of regions.  Rail Trails should be built away from existing railway lines or alongside. Multi use of rail corridors is possible and used elsewhere.  Single use is the old concept.
• In Northern Tablelands, so far the sitting member has not given support for extending train services beyond Armidale to places like Guyra, Ben Lomond, Glen Innes, Deep water, Bolivia Hill, Tenterfield and Wallangarra.  He is not listening to popular voices seeking train services.  The popular will is reflected in 8000-9000 signatures received to our petition so far and multiple other petitions including the one sent to the Upper House last year.  Change.org petition has over 2000 supporters.
• People living in the areas mentioned above with disabilities, sickness, being elderly,isolated or unemployed go through many difficulties daily due to the lack of public transport services between Armidale and Wallangarra and beyond to Queensland.  Many like to access health facilities there.  The only taxi service in Tenterfield ceased operations recently. Some travel to Grafton or Coffs Harbour to catch a train or bus to Brisbane,often with overnight stays. Others have to go to Stanthorpe to catch a bus to Brisbane.  These are impratical but avoidable circumstances with beter government planning and funding essential transport with a caring attitude.
• Do not believe in the various myths created by vested interests about the feasibility of reactivating the Great Northern railway line.e.g. it will never happen,  it will cost billions, bridges are too costly to rebuild or replace.  In Sydney NSW government is spending 1 billion to construct one km in the Metro line between Sydney and Paramatta where there are already 4 modes of transport.  Same is spent in building a second harbour tunnell.   We desrve 1-2 billion to reactivate the line between Armidale and Brisbane.  Both levels of government need to collaborate to do so.
• Look for a candidate who openly supports(through election campaign ads and flyers etc.not empty words) bringing our trains back to areas beyond Armidale.  We deserve this.  Future NSW government should be compelled -if not encouraged -to fund the reactivation of our rail line to serve the public interest and address transport issues in the bush as a matter of priority. Your vote is the critical factor.  Don't waste it.