Dear all,
Recently Mayors of Armidale and Glen Innes met with the NSW Premier Chris Minns,Treasurer and the minister for regional transport Jenny Aitchison. After the meeting Mayor Sam Coupland released a face book post that the overwhelming message they got from the meeting was that trains not return in the short or long term to northern line. Therefore they will go ahead with the rail trail project. However, I do not believe that the Premier gave the mayors the green light to proceed with the rail trail because there is a fixed legislative procedure that the minister has to follow when approving a request by a council to use non operational rail corridor for a recfreational purpose like building a rail trail. More importantly, apart from showing strong community support, councils have to show a strong business case and environmental impact statement.
New England Times, an internet based news outlet carries an article on the subject. NBN News also had a report on the subject today (21.3.24)
In the 20 year draft plan by Armidale Regional Council, the rail line north of Armidale has been replaced with the proposed rail trail. If the rail trail project goes ahead, it will be a cost shifting exercise by the NSW government as the maintenance of rail corridor and rail trail will fall on the council. It is questionable as to how the Armidale council achieve its objectives of groth in population, indusry, businesses etc with an amboldened cycle track to Ben Lomond and Glen Innes rather than with a reactivated rail line? why the two councils are reluctant to ask the State government to invest in the rail line is a mystery. A restored rail line can provide inter State mobility and connectivity. It is time that those who oppose the rail trail(bike track) and support rthe rail services to return pay particular attention to this subject in coming months especially as LG elections are due this year.
Residents can send submissions about the Armidale Council 20 year plan until the end of the month.
If the two councils do not listen to the community voices and are so arogant to proceed with the rail trail, perhaps it is time that we work together to change the composition of these two councils at the ballot box in September.