This is your Opportunity to Contact the Armidale Regional Council and Express your Views, Concerns and Suggestions

Alert to supporters of the Northern Railway Line from Armidale to Ben Lomond (and onward to Glen Innes) that community consultations are currently underway by Armidale Regional Council regarding the proposed rail trail plan. When the council submits its application to the NSW government to convert the rail corridor for a bike or rail trail, it has to show that there is  overwhelming community support . Council has to submit a sound business case and an environment impact statement also according to NSW Rail Trail Framewok 2022. 

Rail Trail is not a done deal.  Council has contracted NSW Public works to undertake the preliminay work by paying a large sum from the council budget. Last year council appoved 1.2 million and in the next budget it has allocated another 1.5 million for the ail Trail  preliminary work infuriating the community-in particular the rate payers.

This proposal has major implications for the future of rail services in our region beyond Armidale, including the possibility of restoring passenger and freight train services in the future, whether by government or private sector operators.

I encourage all residents, rail supporters, businesses, farmers, young people, senior citizens, and community organisations to participate in the consultation process and share your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions.

Key questions that deserve consideration and commenting include:

• Should an important public rail corridor be permanently altered for a recreational project?
• What impact could the removal of rail infrastructure have on future passenger and freight opportunities?
• Are there alternative options that would preserve the rail line while still allowing recreational use of the corridor?
• Are council priorities and expenditure reflecting the long-term needs of the wider community?
• Do residents agree with the council decision to spend more than $2 million from council funds on rail trail preliminary works?
• What could happen if council is unable to secure full funding for the rail trail project after these preliminary works are completed?

This is an important moment for the future of regional transport and connectivity in New England. Once rail infrastructure is removed, restoring it becomes extremely difficult and costly.

Whatever your position may be, I encourage respectful and constructive community participation so that decision-makers fully understand the wide range of views that exist across the region.

You can either share your views through the online forum (registration may be required — please follow the instructions provided) or send a written submission to the General Manager via the council email address.

Further details are available from the following link:

https://yoursay.armidale.nsw.gov.au/draft-operational-plan-and-budget-for-2026-27

Following is a quote from the Armidale Regional Council Community Consultation Portal:

All public submissions received will be tabled and considered as part of the final Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) documents that must be adopted by Council by 30 June 2026.

Submissions are invited and must be addressed to the General Manager, Armidale Regional Council, PO Box 75A, Armidale, NSW 2350, or sent by email to council@armidale.nsw.gov.au and marked 'Submission on Draft 2026/27 Operational Plan and Budget'.

Submissions must be received by Friday 22 May 2026

Please be aware that if you make a submission, other people may have access to your comments. This may be as a result of a report to a Council meeting or as part of an application under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.