Dear all,

Thank you to those who signed the petition recently. It is pleasing to see that more and more residents of regional NSW are becoming aware of the way regional rail transport as a public service has been neglected by successive governments and the poor state of public transport causing numerous challenges for the residents. If convincing hard headed councils about the need for better connectivity for human well being and regional growth is proving to be difficult, convincing the State and federal governments about the future potential of restored rail lines for passenger, freight and heritage trains is even more difficult.  Nonetheless we persevere in our efforts to prove the point.

Early next week Minister for regional transport and roads Hon.Jenny Aitchison is to visit Armidale, Glen Innes and Tenterfield for discussions with councils.  It is possible that the people suffering from poor public transport in these areas may also get an opportunity to meet and explain their difficulties to the minister directly.

My understanding is that she will be in Armidale on Monday, Glen Innes and Tenterfield on Tuesday.

We welcome the minister to the region and wish that she will listen to not only the official version presented by councils but also the community's version!