After a period of silence and several failed grant attempts, the decision by Armidale Regional Council to proceed with preliminary works for the proposed rail trail between Armidale and Ben Lomond should ring alarm bells for anyone concerned about the future of this vital rail corridor.
This is not a branch line—it is an arterial connection linking New England to Queensland. The line holds enormous potential for future regional growth and prosperity if councils and governments work together to plan for its reactivation for train services, rather than converting it into a bike trail.
Ultimately, the fate of this line will be determined by the NSW Government, which is currently seeking public input for the New England Regional Transport Plan. This plan aims to better integrate all modes of transport—rail, road, and air—to strengthen regional connectivity.
Yet, two councils in the region appear determined to take us backward by dismantling the rail line for a recreational cycle trail. Their claims that the corridor could be “returned to the government” for rail use in the future are misleading. The cost of reconstructing a removed rail line could be up to five times higher than simply restoring the existing infrastructure.
If proponents are truly committed to developing a cycling facility, they should build the trail alongside the existing rail line, not destroy a valuable transport corridor. There is ample space in the region to build trails for recreational cyclists—without sacrificing the infrastructure essential for New England’s economic future.
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I’ve asked Siri time and time again to provide the figures he spouts about the cost of restoring the line for years now, and have yet to get an answer.
Shane McGee most credible recent estimates come from the degradation study conducted by Northern Regional Railway Company together with New England Railway Inc in 2024. A summary of the costs is available from NRRC website. To operate heritage trains the cost is approximately less than $500,000. To run trains with heavy load and high speed,cost is 1.2m per km.
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The battle for trains has taken a ne twist. Without a diesel subsidy, regions like ours without rail will be seriously economically impaired. I have made this call before. The Albanese government has to look at ways of reducing carbon emissions and fewer trucks on our roads may be psrt of the answer. The costs of rail renewal will be offset in part by reduced road repair bills – creating safer driving and cycling conditions.
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