Transport for NSW (TfNSW) Call for Submissions from New England North West Residents for the SRITP
Transport for NSW, on behalf of the NSW Government, has been calling for submissions from New England North West residents for the preparation of a 20-year regional transport plan for our region since 2025.
Many residents have already submitted their responses. Some have also contributed comments using the interactive map on the website.
The following is the Executive Summary and recommended actions from a submission to the New England North West Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan(SRITP) by Steven Graham of Emmaville.
Introduction
This submission strongly supports a clear NSW Government commitment in the SRITP to preserve, rehabilitate, and progressively restore the Great Northern Railway corridor north of Armidale to a functional rail standard (freight-capable and future passenger-capable). At a minimum, the SRITP should explicitly protect the corridor for strategic rail reinstatement and commit to a staged program of assessment, repair, and delivery.
The case is not based on sentiment or nostalgia. It is a practical argument grounded in regional equity, health access, freight resilience, cost of living, infrastructure, heritage, and nation-building. For communities across Glen Innes Severn, Tenterfield, and the broader New England region, transport is not simply a convenience issue; it is a matter of survival, affordability, and opportunity.
Executive Summary
Rural residents in the New England region regularly travel long distances to access specialist care, diagnostics, surgery, and cancer treatment. A stronger rail network would improve regional mobility and provide better options for patients, carers, and families.
The ageing population in nearby LGAs (including Tenterfield and Glen Innes Severn) means more residents will face mobility challenges over time, including those managing chronic illness or licence restrictions.
Freight and logistics are nationally significant, yet Australia’s freight system remains heavily road-dependent. A restored inland rail corridor would support a more resilient, multimodal transport system and reduce pressure on deteriorating roads.
Regional and remote communities are disproportionately affected when transport corridors fail or close. Corridor resilience is a national productivity and equity issue.
The Great Northern Railway corridor is historically and culturally significant. Tenterfield’s federation story is closely linked to the railway, border trade constraints, defence concerns, and railway gauge debates.
The Tenterfield Railway Precinct is recognised by Heritage NSW as state-significant and linked to major historical events, including Federation and World War II.
The strategic logistics history of Wallangarra highlights the corridor’s importance for defence and interstate freight, reinforcing the value of preserving rail capability as national redundancy.
The SRITP should avoid creating a false choice between planning certainty and future rail capability. The Government can provide certainty through a staged rail strategy, corridor protection framework, and clear rules for interim uses that do not compromise reinstatement.
Recommended Actions for Inclusion in the SRITP
The SRITP should include the following commitments:
Corridor protection statement
Declare the Great Northern Railway corridor north of Armidale a protected long-term strategic rail corridor (freight-capable and future passenger-capable).
Staged reinstatement roadmap
Publish a staged pathway including: corridor audit, bridge and structure assessments, drainage and formation works, signalling and communications strategy, and operational options.
Whole-of-government business case
Evaluate broader social and economic benefits beyond fare revenue, including health access, ageing mobility, emergency logistics, road maintenance savings, freight resilience, tourism, and heritage.
Freight-first / mixed-use assessment
Examine initial freight restoration, with provision for future passenger services or integrated rail-coach options.
Health transport integration
Coordinate with NSW Health and regional health districts to reflect real patient travel needs.
Disaster and resilience planning
Align with state and national resilience strategies, including contingency routes for critical supplies.
Heritage and tourism integration
Develop a framework that supports tourism while preserving rail functionality and future operational capability.
Transparent interim-use rules
Ensure any interim uses are reversible and do not compromise future rail reinstatement.
Cross-border coordination
Engage with Queensland on long-term interstate freight and corridor planning, including the Wallangarra/Jennings interface.
Community reporting
Provide regular public updates with timelines, milestones, and reasons for any delays.
If you would like a full copy, please email: siri.gamage1951@gmail.com
If you have not yet made a submission, I encourage you to prepare and upload one via the SRITP website without delay:
https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/new-england-and-north-west