Attention: Rail Supporters in the Armidale Regional Council LG Area.
Please note Item 9.2 in this week’s Council Agenda (Pages 20–24), where Council staff are seeking approval to spend $1,083,500 on Stages 1 and 2 of the New England Rail Trail Plan (Preliminary Works and Approvals).
This proposal involves using ratepayers’ money for a project that requires the removal of the existing rail line between Armidale and Ben Lomond.
When the previous motion moved by Cr Dorothy Robinson was adopted in 2024, the General Manager was instructed to investigate options for developing a rail trail without removing the railway line.
However, this latest council report makes no mention of such an investigation?
Furthermore, the report notes that two previous grant applications for the rail trail made last year were unsuccessful. You may recall that another grant offer was withdrawn by the funding agency last year.
At a time when the NSW Government is preparing a Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP) for the New England–North West region—a 20-year blueprint for transport priorities—it would be irresponsible for Armidale Regional Council to rush ahead with this rail trail project.
Instead, the proposal should be submitted to the SRITP process for proper consideration before approving any further funding allocation from ARC funds. What will be the limit of using rate payers money for a partisan project like this?
Questions also arise as to whether the Council intends to draw on contributions from Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) companies before the Terms of Reference for the proposed “Future Fund”—promised by the Mayor last year—have even been finalised.
Actions for Rail Supporters
Please take following actions before this decision is made:
Contact your Councillors and express your concerns about using Council funds for a project that would permanently remove rail infrastructure.
Urge them to move amendments or oppose the current proposal.
Request a motion to defer any expenditure or authorisations until the SRITP is finalised next year.
Remind Councillors that there is an existing Council motion stating that no net expenditure to be allocated to the rail trail project.
Ask Council officers whether they have explored alternative rail trail designs that retain the rail line, as directed by the 2024 motion.
Attend the Council meeting and show your support for preserving the rail corridor for future passenger and freight services.
If this proposal is approved, ratepayers’ funds from the recent rate rise will be spent on a controversial rail trail, and valuable rail infrastructure—which could be restored for regional train services—will be lost forever.
Despite claims to the contrary, the NSW Government has never stated that trains will never return to the area north of Armidale. The government has only indicated that there are no current plans or funding.
A Way Forward
Instead of pursuing a divisive rail trail proposal, Armidale Regional Council should convene a roundtable discussion of all stakeholders—those supporting both tourism trails and rail restoration—to seek a compromise solution and jointly lobby governments for better regional transport investment.
It’s Our Home — and Our Future!
Please sign this Petition Opposing the New England Rail Trail.