Duncan Fischer, Independent for Northern Tablelands - Position on Trains North of Armidale
"Keeping the prospect of a return of trains north alive"
As the elected representative of the Northern Tablelands I will push forward to see train services returned from Armidale to at least Tenterfield, hopefully as far as Wallangarra.
To push right through to the border would only be a viable proposition with the co-operation of the Queensland government, with a similar commitment to restore rail services to the other side of the border.
Armidale to Tenterfield however is highly sought after option also. The various support groups have presented a 10,000 signature petition already, this indicates to me that not only is that a large number of people in a region of about ~57000 people, it is also a statisticaslly signafant percentage of those peole that bothered to show their support. It would be encumbent on me to take this proposal forward as 'the people have spoken'
The 3 step plan going forward would be;
The first proposal I would put forward is for the government to guarantee maintaing the rail corridor technically as rail desginated land until at least the year 2100 - nothing moves fast with rail, however this would secure the corridor for another 75 years! (This effectively costs the govt $0 so swhouldn't be too hard a commitment to achieve)
Commission a study to focus intently on the verifiable benefits of the rail line being reopened. Just saying 'well its tourism and freight' is not eneough. Verifiable data, quantity surveys and professionals in their fields writing reports etc. Freight is where rail can generate better incomes, so this possibilities need to be explored across the region, not only existing items but what might a rail line open up in the terms of other industires. The costs invovled are much easier to determine.
Discussions should also be started around extending the current service which would replace the NSW Trainlink coach service that operates between Armidale and Tenterfield every day AND also include the possibility of a second passenger service Between Tamworth to Glen Innes at other times of the day.
The current Werris Creek to Moree service will recieve an boost when the new regioanl trains come into service as I am lead to believe they operate as a 3-car set as a minimum, up fromn the regfular 2-car setup currently servicing Moree
Also at a state level I support a Fast Rail service between, Newcastle-Gosford-Central, only those stops, then passengers would interchange from these stations onto the local services. This could be a real game-changer for that region also.