Planned Submission to New England-Northwest Regional Transport Plan(SRITP) for your Feedback.
I am planning to send the following submission on behalf of Armidale and Regional Train Advocacy Group(ARTAG).
Please read it and send you comments to me -critical or constructive- by 25th February 2026 or earlier.
1. Introduction
ARTAG welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP) for New England-Northwest. This submission focuses exclusively on the New England region and addresses the long-standing transport disadvantage experienced by communities north of Armidale.
We submit that the restoration of the Northern Railway Line from Armidale to the Queensland border should be recognised as a priority project within the SRITP. This project has the potential to transform regional mobility, stimulate economic growth, improve access to essential services, and restore cross-border connectivity that has been lost for decades.
2. Transport Disadvantage in New England
New England has experienced persistent under-investment in public transport and rail infrastructure for more than 30 years. The withdrawal of passenger rail services north of Armidale and the lack of meaningful alternatives have resulted in:
Limited and infrequent public transport options
High dependence on private vehicles
Social isolation for young people, older residents and non-drivers
Reduced access to education, health and employment opportunities
Compared with metropolitan regions and parts of NSW that enjoy reliable rail and bus services, New England has been left behind. This inequity is structural and intergenerational in nature and requires a strategic response rather than incremental measures.
3. Northern Rail Line Restoration: A Game-Changer
The restoration of the Northern Rail Line would be transformational for New England. It would re-establish a critical north–south corridor linking regional NSW with southern Queensland, enabling:
Cross-border mobility for residents, workers, students and visitors
Access to major regional centres such as Toowoomba and Brisbane
Improved resilience during natural disasters and emergencies
Rail connectivity would fundamentally change how New England communities interact with the wider economy and service systems across state borders.
4. Benefits for Regional Growth and the Visitor Economy
New England towns such as Armidale, Glen Innes and Tenterfield are increasingly attractive to:
New residents relocating from metropolitan and coastal areas
Visitors seeking heritage, nature-based and cultural tourism
However, growth potential is constrained by poor transport accessibility.
Restoring the Northern Rail Line would:
Enable rail-based tourism and heritage rail opportunities
Increase visitor numbers and length of stay
Support local businesses, hospitality and accommodation sectors
Strengthen New England’s profile as a sustainable tourism destination
Transport investment is essential to unlocking the region’s economic potential.
5. Access to Essential Services
Improved rail connectivity would enhance access to:
Education – universities, TAFE, schools and cross-border institutions
Health – specialist services, hospitals and allied health care
Recreation and cultural participation – sport, events and community life
At present, access to these services is heavily dependent on car ownership and long-distance road travel, creating inequities that disproportionately affect vulnerable groups.
6. Intergenerational Impacts
The lack of transport investment in New England is producing long-term consequences:
Young people leave the region due to limited mobility and opportunity
Older residents face increasing isolation
Families incur higher living costs due to transport dependence
Without intervention, these impacts will continue to compound across generations, undermining regional sustainability.
7. A Nation-Building Priority
The Northern Rail Line restoration should be recognised as:
A nation-building infrastructure project
A priority requiring NSW, Queensland and Federal Government collaboration.
An investment aligned with regional development,
decarbonisation, disaster resilience and social equity objectives
ARTAG urges the NSW Government to formally recognise this project as a priority within the SRITP for New England and to initiate coordinated planning and funding discussions across jurisdictions.
8. Conclusion
New England’s transport disadvantage is long-standing and systemic. The restoration of the Northern Rail Line offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address this inequity, reconnect communities, and support sustainable regional growth.
ARTAG strongly recommends that Transport for NSW embed this project within the SRITP as a cornerstone of New England’s future transport network.
Convenor - ARTAG
Email: siri.gamage1951@gmail.com