Dear all,
This debate is today. You can view it online by visiting Legislative assembly website and clicking Live button on the top left hand corner. See the link below.
https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/petitions/pages/about-petitions.aspx
The petition was initiated by New England/Northern Tablelands community organisations as a result of the difficulties they have endured due to the lack of public transport services between Armidale and Queensland as in the past.
Direct coach services between Sydney and Brisbane via Armidale ceased operations during the pandemic. Thus, the northern part of our electorate beyond Armidale to the border remains inaccessible other than by motor vehicles or by air.
Many do not have access to a motor vehicle or cannot drive.
Between 2022- 2023, Trains North assisted in obtaining signatures by visiting weekend markets, talking to people and giving publicity through the social media.
Many residents in the New England region have close cross border connections and are eager to access various services such as medical, education, and employment available in Queensland to the north rather than spend several hours in a coach from Tenterfield to Armidale and then another eight hours in the train to Sydney. Some have close family networks there and have in fact come from Queensland.
Cross border mobility and connectivity by public transport in regional NSW should be a priority for the NSW government and the local councils. We believe that to ensure the region's long-term future growth and prosperity in a changing world, restoration of this line is absolutely essential.
Circumstances have changed significantly from the time when the rail services were terminated on the northern railway line in the late 80s. People living in Sydney and other metropolitan areas are relocating to regional towns. According to the issues paper by the Dept of Regional NSW, overall, there has been a near doubling in domestic migration from 2017 - 2020, with people migrating from metropolitan Melbourne and Sydney to regional centres like Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Newcastle, Tamworth and Wagga. In the decade between 2006 - 2016, 13.2 per cent of moving residents were people relocating from Greater Sydney into regional NSW, increasing to around 15 per cent in 2018-2010. Over the years 2021 - 2023, movement out of Sydney and into regional NSW was 33 per cent of the total migration out of capital cities in Australia.
The minister for regional NSW Hon.Tara Moriarty says that "The NSW Government is supporting regional communities to ensure they continue to grow and thrive. The 2023-24 NSW Budget committed $1.8 billion in new regional investments to build on the strengths of our regions, invest in essential services and infrastructure, and improve service delivery and quality of life in our rural and regional communities" (Issues paper 2024). If this is the case, we in Trains North welcome any financial support the minister and her department can provide for a business case to reactivate the northern railway line from Armidale to Queensland.
Furthermore, Inland rail project is to pass through Toowoomba - another important population centre. There is an intermodel freight terminal there. Tamworth also has an intermodal freight terminal. A link between the two can facilitate efficient and low-cost movement of freight by rail thereby reducing the trucks on road and the future road repair bills. Climate dividend is another important benefit. Shift of freight from trucks to rail can contribute to the net zero target. 2032 Olympics games in Queensland and associated infrastructure developments are significant activities that we cannot ignore.
If we are to benefit from these developments to the North and expected domestic and international visitors, we definitely need to restore the railway line from Armidale to Queensland for passenger, freight and heritage trains.
In its December 2023 meeting, Tenterfield shire council passed a motion supporting the restoration of passenger trains between Armidale and Jennings/Wallangarra.
Heritage rail operations north of Armidale to the border with Queensland can also have beneficial effects on the local economy and society. The steam train by NSW Rail Motor Society that ran between Armidale and Uralla with over 5000 bookings on a weekend in August, 2023 shows the appetite in the community for such trains. New England Rail Inc (NERI) and Northern Regional Railway Company (NRRC) have well advanced plans to restore the two train sets parked in the Armidale shed and run heritage trains. After obtaining a license from TFNSW, their members are currently inspecting the line north of Armidale to complete a condition study. A heritage train can be a popular venture that can attract a broader visitor profile. After all Armidale and Glen Innes Councils have future plans to attract more population to the region including more residents, visitors., industry, and business.
The fact that over 10,000 residents have signed the petition to the parliament shows where the community support in New England and the State lie. The signatories do not wish to see the rail line removed to construct a rail trail (bike track) as planned by Armidale and Glen Innes councils. The clear view expressed is that the NSW government should treat residents of regional areas equally with due respect and provide public transport services by rail to Queensland. As Local councils have plans to attract more population, rate payers, businesses, professionals and industry to the region, having a functioning railway service can only help to realise such objectives. Our view is that rather than short term gains through government handouts, councils need to aspire for long term sustainable goals that can have better and lasting value to the community. We need to move forward like Tamworth and Toowoomba councils and provide avenues of land transport for local produce, passengers, and services. Cross border connectivity and mobility can only be beneficial in this respect.
Our hope is that the NSW government will look at the community petition and its expressed request favourably followed by an action plan and community consultations!