Why is Armidale Council prioritising a rail trail over critical community needs?
Armidale Regional Council is currently seeking community input on its proposal to remove the rail line and construct a walking and cycling trail along the corridor between Armidale and Ben Lomond. The Council’s “Have Your Say” portal provides extensive information, but several key points warrant closer scrutiny.
What Council is saying?
Council highlights that Transport for NSW recently released the draft New England North West Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan, which states:
“The Australian and NSW Governments are not planning to progress reinstatement of the old northern rail corridor north of Armidale.”
Council also notes:
The rail line has been unused for over 30 years and requires significant investment
The corridor is a public asset currently delivering limited economic or community benefit
Previous consultations (2018, 2021) explored support for a rail trail
The rail trail could generate approximately $5.9 million annually in visitor expenditure
Much of the rail infrastructure would likely be removed, with some reused or sold as scrap
Key concerns from the community
1. Reliance on a draft plan is premature
The transport plan cited is still in draft form and open to submissions. Its conclusions are not final. Using a single statement from a draft document to justify removing critical rail infrastructure is premature and potentially misleading. Community feedback, including from businesses and regional stakeholders, may yet influence the final outcome.
2. Consultation without complete information
Council is seeking feedback while key details—such as final design, costs, and impacts—remain unresolved. Without clear and complete information, how can residents, ratepayers, and landowners provide informed input?
3. Escalating costs and financial risk
Significant public funds are already committed:
$500,000 from Council funds
$600,000 from an unspecified external source
A further $1.5 million allocated in the upcoming budget
This comes after the loss of a $5.5 million government grant in 2024. There is no guarantee of securing the estimated $21 million required. Many ratepayers are questioning why Council funds are being directed to this project, particularly given recent substantial rate increases.
4. Rail options are being overlooked
There are credible proposals for continued rail use:
Heritage rail operations by regional groups
Industrial opportunities such as a meat processing facility in Guyra
Independent assessments indicating the line could be upgraded depending on use
A rail-with-trail (off-formation) option would preserve future transport opportunities while still delivering active transport benefits. Yet Council appears reluctant to seriously pursue this balanced approach.
Concerns are also heightened by the fact that several councillors have declared membership of the Friends of New England Rail Trail, raising questions about perceived conflicts of interest in decision-making.
5. Lack of advocacy for broader transport needs
Despite clear community concerns about:
High airfares
Rising fuel costs
Limited public transport options
Council has not taken a strong position advocating for improved rail or integrated transport services. Regional connectivity—particularly faster rail to Sydney and better links between towns—remains a pressing issue that deserves greater attention.
6. Competing priorities within the region
There are numerous pressing needs competing for limited Council resources, including:
Water security
Health infrastructure such as hydrotherapy facilities
Weed and environmental management
Housing development
Support for local businesses
Armidale already has cycling and walking tracks, many of which require better maintenance. The assumption that a rail trail will attract large numbers of visitors should be carefully examined against current usage patterns.
A better path forward
The community wants sustainable growth and sensible long-term planning. This should not be framed as a choice between rail and recreation.
A rail + trail solution—preserving the corridor for future rail while developing off-formation active transport—offers a more balanced and forward-looking approach.
Final thought
This is a pivotal decision for the region. Once rail infrastructure is removed, it is extremely difficult—if not impossible—to restore. The question is not just what serves today’s needs, but what best secures the region’s future?