Dear all,

With Armidale Regional Council set to commence community consultations early next month on the proposed rail trail to Ben Lomond, it is important that rail supporters come together to discuss this issue. In particular, we need to better understand the scope of these consultations and consider how best to respond.

We believe it is not in the best interests of the region, or of communities already deprived of adequate public transport, to plan for the removal of our existing rail line—the only rail connection to Queensland—in order to build a recreational cycling and walking trail. Rail corridors should be preserved for rail services. Councils should be advocating to the NSW Government for greater investment in our transport infrastructure, rather than pursuing a lesser alternative.

While we recognise that transport infrastructure is primarily a State Government responsibility, councils across NSW regularly advocate on behalf of their communities in areas such as water, roads, health, housing, and law and order. It is therefore difficult to understand why Armidale and Glen Innes councils appear reluctant to advocate for the retention and future use of the railway line, except in the context of its removal for a rail trail.

It is also worth noting that earlier rail trail funding—amounting to almost $15 million across both council areas(Armidale and Glen Innes)—was withdrawn by the relevant funding agencies. In the absence of external funding, there is now an increasing reliance, particularly by Armidale Regional Council, on ratepayer funds to progress preliminary rail trail works. In its current Operational Plan and Budget, Council has allocated approximately $1.5 million for this purpose. At its October 2025 meeting, Council reported that this would include $500,000 from Council funds and a further $600,000 from an undisclosed external source.

The rail trail business case also raises important questions. For example, the projected number of overnight visitors appears unusually high compared with day visitors. In addition, the forecast annual economic benefit of $5.5 million for the region is more than double that projected for the Tweed Shire Rail Trail. These assumptions warrant closer scrutiny.

In our view, the best option—one that avoids further division within the community—is to develop a rail trail alongside the existing rail line, without removing the rail infrastructure. This off-formation approach would preserve the corridor for future rail use while also delivering recreational benefits. We have raised this option with the Mayor and several councillors, but unfortunately we did not receive a favourable response.

What we need is a solution that is acceptable to all stakeholders with an interest in the rail corridor north of Armidale—not just rail trail advocates. By working together, we can encourage our councils to seek a better and more ambitious transport outcome for the region.

I hope many of you will be able to attend the Guyra meeting.