Why our Governments and Councils have Failed Us?

Lack of Public Transport Between Armidale and Queensland: Why Have Governments and Councils Failed Us?

For more than 34 years, the rail line connecting New England with Queensland has been neglected by successive State and Federal governments.

Coach services between Sydney and Brisbane via New England ceased during the COVID-19 pandemic and have never returned. Today, there is only one daily NSW TrainLink coach connecting Tenterfield, Deepwater, Glen Innes and Guyra with Armidale railway station. The Xplorer train to Sydney takes more than eight hours. Yet many people living north of Armidale travel more often to Queensland than to Sydney—and there is no public transport to get them there.

In 2024, residents submitted a petition with 10,740 signatures to the NSW Parliament calling for passenger rail services from Armidale to Wallangarra. Minister Jenny Aitchison asked petitioners to provide a business case. Since then, the NSW Government has developed Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plans (SRITPs) for New England North West and other regions. Hundreds of residents made submissions, yet the draft plans contain no meaningful initiatives to restore regional rail. Meanwhile, the majority of the NSW Government's $55 billion transport budget continues to be spent in Sydney.

Why have our local councils also failed to advocate for better public transport?

 The Mayors of Armidale and Glen Innes argue that rail is the responsibility of the State Government, while at the same time promoting a rail trail within the railway corridor. How can we preserve the option of restoring rail services if the corridor is converted into a bike trail?

Around the world—and even in neighbouring countries—governments are investing in faster and better rail networks. Here in New England, we are still debating whether to replace a strategic rail corridor with a bike trail while the NSW Government offers no vision for restoring cross-border passenger and freight rail services.

Something is clearly wrong. Responsibility is being shifted from one level of government to another while regional communities continue to miss out. A bike trail may have tourism benefits, but it cannot replace a functioning regional transport network.
New England deserves better. We need our trains back.

Support the campaign to restore the Great Northern Railway between Armidale and Queensland—for regional connectivity, economic development, tourism, freight and transport justice.