A Word of Advice for the Rate Payers

I listened to a discussion on ABC Radio New England North West with the Local Government Minister regarding whether the State Government would contribute to the rehabilitation of a council-owned building in Tamworth reportedly containing asbestos. The Minister ruled this out, stating clearly that it is a council-owned asset and that the State Government will not contribute to its repair.

The rail corridor north of Armidale is another public asset, but it is owned by the State Government and maintained by a private contractor, UGL Regional Linx.

If the proposed New England Rail Trail plan by Armidale and Glen Innes councils proceeds, and the councils lease the corridor for 20 or 30 years, they will assume responsibility for maintaining both the corridor and the bike and walking trail within it. It is highly unlikely that the State Government will contribute to ongoing maintenance costs.

In essence, this appears to be a cost-shifting exercise from the State Government to local councils.

The key question is: Is this what ratepayers in the two local government areas really want?

We need to think carefully before supporting these council plans.

Armidale Regional Council has already approved $500,000 of ratepayer funds, along with a further $600,000 from an undisclosed external source, to undertake preliminary works for the rail trail from Armidale to Ben Lomond. 

The council has engaged NSW Public Works to carry out this work, including community consultation.

In our view, there are more urgent priorities that both councils should be addressing, including drought conditions and the depletion of water resources. The rail trail proposal risks becoming a distraction. 

If councils are serious about transport, they should be advocating for improved transport options that benefit the entire community—not just a recreational bike and walking track within the rail corridor.

Many residents oppose the rail trail in its current form. My petition alone has gathered over 5,000 signatures, and Train North has organised two additional petitions.

Our request to the Mayor of Armidale to convene a roundtable discussion involving all stakeholders interested in the future use of the rail corridor has not been accepted. Likewise, our proposal to consider alternatives—such as retaining the rail line and developing a trail alongside it—has been dismissed. 

The Mayor has argued that building a trail off-formation would cost significantly more, but no credible cost estimates have been provided to support this claim.

Armidale Regional Council appears increasingly willing to take on non-operational or defunct infrastructure—such as the Oakey Dam—which may become a long-term burden on ratepayers in the absence of State Government funding support. 

Acquiring the disused rail corridor from Armidale to Ben Lomond for a rail trail could add to that burden, particularly given the strong and growing community opposition.