Armidale Regional Council Plan for the New England Rail Trail (NERT) - Implementation of Stage 1 and 2
Armidale Regional Council's Plan for stage 1 and 2 of the NERT, please look at the ARC Meeting agenda for 22nd october 2025 under item 9.2 (pp. 20-24)for details. Council approved the plan, recommendations by the Chief Officer, Planning and Activation. Only one councillor voted against. One left the room befoe the voting.
These are the relevant details fom the Chief Officer's report:
Stage 1 - idea is adopted and a steering committee established; Council and Transport NSW secure land owners consent, Undertake due diligence, prepare concept/master plan; seek community support; create viable business model; submit proposal to NSW government.
Steering committee : Ongoing engagement with Aboriginal land Council, local community, adjoining landowners and ensure support of other stakeholders required by s99E(5).
Stage 2 - TFNSW consult all stakeholders referred to in Transport Amendment Act s99E(5); Transport NSW regulation process; tfnsw agree rail trail lease with council(s); tfnsw -disused rail line repurposed.
Budget allocated - $1,083,500(ex GST) for these two stages. $500,000 council money and $600,000 from an undisclosed external source (note: this could be a renewable energy production or battery storage company?)
" The outcomes of the preliminary works will be published for the community to see. ... A consultation plan detailing how the community and stakeholders will be consulted throughout the development of the proposal will be completed as part of stage 1 and 2 of the NERT proposal to provide evidence of community support" (p.24).
The report presented to the council by Chief officer, Planning and Activation concludes by saying that "This report recommends commencement of the delivery of the Preliminary works and Approvals stages of NERT".
These are to be accomplished by July 2026.
Link to the Meeting and item 9.2
The intention of the Armidale Regional council to proceed with these two initial stages and get Transport NSW approval to repurpose the rail line to build a rail trail from Armidale to Ben Lomond is clear from this information.
How to get funding for this project is an issue for the council. One avenue is contributions from the energy production and battery storage companies in the New England REZ.
We aleady know that according to a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA)appoved by the council, Armidale Battery Energy Storage company Alinta has agreed to provide $400,000 per annum for 20 years for the upkeep of the ail trail.
Currently, I am seeking further information about contributions by Energy Companies to the council, allocations for the rail trail and council poposal for the "New England Future Fund" including Board of Guardians and Community Panel.
Fom the Minutes:
In the October 2025 meeting, ARC resolved the following : a) Note the estimated cost of $1,083,500 (ex GST) to deliver Stage 1 and 2 of the NERT
proposal
b) Directly engage NSWPWA via Section 55 (3) (b) of the Local Government Act 1993, and
enter into a two-stage contract with:
• Stage 1 limited to the value of Council’s currently approved budget ($497,800);
and;
• Stage 2 not to proceed until the additional $585,700 in external funding has
been secured.
c) Ensure that the contract includes a hold point at $500,000 for the completion of the REF
and studies with progression beyond this subject to securing at least $585,700
additional external funding.
d) Receive a further report on external funding opportunities as they become available.
e) As part of the delivery of Stage 1 and 2 of the NERT proposal, prepare a consultation
plan detailing how the community and stakeholders will be consulted throughout the
development of the proposal.
f) As part of the delivery of Stage 1 and 2 of the NERT proposal, prepare a NERT business
model complying with the Capital Expenditure Review process under the Local
Government Act 1993, Integrated Planning and Reporting requirements.
g) Whilst external funding is being secured, Councillors receive a detailed briefing on the
NERT proposal including all supporting information, reports, studies, and
correspondence relating to the project being made available for review.
h) Engage with relevant NSW Government officials and departments to formally clarify the
long-term viability of the Armidale–Glen Innes rail corridor, the current physical
condition and usability of the corridor for transport or local tourism purposes, its
potential future rail use, prior to committing to any irreversible works.
i) Acknowledges that should the NSW State Government require or request the corridor
to be reactivated for as an operational rail line, that the Rail Trail will cease, to allow for
the resumption of train services.