Hello Train Supporters,

There are a few matters to report:

1. Supporters of rail north of Armidale on northern railway line have now formed an incorporaed association called Trains North Inc. Joining fee is $5.00 . Annual fee is $10.00.  They had the first General Meeting in Armidale recently.  Membership is growing.  I encourage those of you who want to support the campaign to bring trains back to areas north of Armidale to join and support.(If you need membership form contact Alan at mckenziealan41@gmail.com)
2. Trains North Inc. is in the process of planning  a Public forum in Armidale in the 1st week of August. More on this later.
3. We have collected more than 10,000 signatures for the paper petition to Legislative Assembly by now.  We will do an audit of signed forms to make sure everything is in order soon before handing it to the local MP for delivery to LA. This will be a significant milestone in the campaign that started a few years ago by people like David Good, Rob Lenehan.
4. Armidale Regional and Glen Innes Severn councils are in the process of negotiating with Public Works (Dept of regional NSW) about the next steps in relation to the New England Rail Trail(NERT)e.g. re-costing the business case, Design, lease of rail corridor. Once they submit a formal application for the purpose, the minister of regional transport and roads will have to sign a regulation to give permission. However before she does this, we are informed that she will consult stakeholders and inform the parliament.  She needs to be satisfied that the rail trail proposals have to meet 3 conditions 1) acceptable business case, 2) evidence of community support 3. bio security impact statement (You can see some of the existing documents in the council websites.  Click rail trail in the search button)
5. Our objection is for the planned removal of rail infrastructure to build rail trail.  We think the rail trail can be built on the side of the existing rail line (believed to be about 40 meters wide) or by using  roads running on the  side of the rail line outside the rail corridor.