New England North West Draft Regional Transport Plan – Have Your Say Before 14 June
Submissions on the New England North West Draft Regional Transport Plan close on 14 June.
Residents should strongly urge the NSW Government to include the reopening of the rail line north of Armidale to Queensland as a priority project for cross-border connectivity, improved mobility, and future regional development.
The recent Federal Government decision to effectively halt the Inland Rail project at Parkes has created a major gap in Australia's future north-south transport network. As a result, there is an even stronger case for restoring the northern rail corridor to provide a second north-south railway for both passenger and freight services.
This decision risks leaving the New England North West region isolated from future transport infrastructure investment and economic opportunities. Reopening the rail line would strengthen regional resilience, improve freight efficiency, enhance passenger transport options, and support closer integration with communities across the Queensland border.
This is the final opportunity to influence the NSW Government's 20-year transport plan for our region. Once the plan is finalised, it will establish the short, medium, and long-term transport priorities that will guide future government investment decisions. Projects not identified in the plan are far less likely to receive funding or progress in the years ahead.
Unfortunately, the current draft focuses heavily on additional bus and cycling initiatives while failing to include any meaningful commitment to regional rail renewal. This omission is unacceptable. Many residents have already made submissions calling for the reopening of the rail line to Queensland, yet the planning team has chosen not to include this proposal in the draft plan.
If you support better regional transport, stronger cross-border connections, and a long-term vision for rail in New England North West, make your voice heard before 14 June.
For more information and to lodge a submission, search online for "SRITP New England North West" or visit the NSW Government consultation website.
Submission page: haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au