Rail Trail Is Not a Done Deal – These Are Preliminary Works to prepare a New Application to the NSW Government by Armidale Regional Council.

On behalf of Armidale Regional Council (ARC), NSW Public Works has announced that it intends to consult with Aboriginal organisations regarding heritage matters related to the proposed rail trail between Armidale and Ben Lomond.

The planned consultations to be undertaken by NSW Public Works are part of the preliminary works that Armidale Regional Council must complete before submitting an application to the NSW Government for approval to convert the rail corridor into a bike trail following removal of the rail line. They are beginning of a process.

At its October 2025 meeting, ARC resolved to allocate:

$500,000 of Council funds, and
$600,000 from external sources (not publicly specified),
to undertake the preliminary works  required to prepare and submit a new application to convert the rail corridor between Armidale and Ben Lomond into a rail trail plus secure government approvals.  Plan of the ARC is to get the approval to use the rail corridor for a rail trail by June 2026.

Council also authorised the General Manager to enter into a contract with NSW Public Works for this purpose.

 
Public Notice – Guyra Gazette (25 February 2026)

An advertisement published in the Guyra Gazette on 25 February 2026 by NSW Public Works invites Aboriginal organisations to contact them regarding the consultation process.

General enquiries:
Project Manager – Rhys Callaghan
Email: rhys.callaghan@pwa.nsw.gov.au

(A copy of the advertisement is attached.)

 
In my View, Matters for Aboriginal Organisations to Consider

Aboriginal organisations are encouraged to carefully consider how the proposed rail trail may impact:

Aboriginal cultural heritage sites
Significant places and items, artefacts

Scar trees

Ceremonial sites

Dreaming stories and cultural knowledge
The historical contribution and sacrifices made by Aboriginal people in constructing the rail line and places of significance, their memories
The broader cultural and historical significance of the rail corridor to remain as it is for future trains

The situation may differ significantly if the corridor becomes a bike trail attracting cyclists and large numbers of visitors walking along the full length of the corridor, compared to its historical use as a rail line where trains stopped only at designated stations.

Council has indicated that the proposed rail trail could attract approximately:

5,000 day visitors annually
7,000 overnight visitors annually

Aboriginal organisations are encouraged to clearly outline during the consultation process any potential impacts the proposed rail trail may have on cultural heritage, cultural practices, and significant sites etc as outlined above.

If the proposed rail trail may negatively affect Aboriginal cultural heritage,ceremonial sites  or practices, these concerns should be formally and clearly articulated as part of the consultation process.

Register with Public Works Before March 13th 2026