Unfortunately, the answer is yes. No one knows the answers except the General Manager and the Mayor. The Armidale community has been, and continues to be, left in the dark.
Why, when Armidale is so blessed in having many bike trails, does the GM and the Mayor, think we need another one…at the expense of ALL those people north of us who have absolutely no means of public transport other than a ‘rail’ bus from Tenterfield to Armidale. where those folk’s only optioned is the slow train to Sydney?
Have our ‘Leaders’ decided that Climate Change is a furphy? Are they unaware that spot fires and floods are the result of global warming? An established rail line allows emergency teams to get to the action faster and help put out fires; helping people relocate to dry land, and freight to get to their destinations in a more timely manner.
Have they not seen, overseas, the enormous investment in trains? Of course it will cost money, but the savings to the government in the long term, are almost incalculable…a saving for the government when transporting patients to Sydney, which would be a saving to patients not having to stay for 2 days meaning less cost of taxis. Down and up in the one day…what a dream. An invaluable help for businesses that could set up in this region. High altitude training for athletes AND horses. A chance for Tourists to visit the region by train from either Sydney or Brisbane… particularly in time for the ‘32 Games.
I despair that our ‘leaders’ are encouraging selfishness instead of using good old-fashioned common sense.
I encourage everyone reading this to write to the Council, demanding answers…today.
Thank you,
Deni McKenzie
Got something on your mind? Go on then, engage. Submit your opinion piece, letter to the editor, or Quick Word now.
The urban bike path through Armidale is in very poor condition in places. Yet Mayor Coupland seems uninterested in obtaining grant funding to upgrade it to the required standard that other councils have managed to achieve. A lot of residents use the path to cycle to their work place, place of study or to the shops. They have to endure the rough surfaces, unsafe intersections and dogs running unrestrained across the path. What is Mayor Coupland’s real agenda regarding the urban bike path and the proposed rail trail he is actively campaigning for?
Different day but same nonsense and propaganda from one the few train supporters. The article is peppered with half truths and incorrect statements. Time to move on.
Plus allow tourist trains to run north of Armidale as well.
The urban bike path through Armidale is in very poor condition in places. Yet Mayor Coupland seems uninterested in obtaining grant funding to upgrade it to the required standard that other councils have managed to achieve. A lot of residents use the path to cycle to their work place, place of study or to the shops. They have to endure the rough surfaces, unsafe intersections and dogs running unrestrained across the path. What is Mayor Coupland’s real agenda regarding the urban bike path and the proposed rail trail he is actively campaigning for?
Stupidity is alive and well! No apologies from me….i don’t care if there is a rail trail or not BUT there are bugger all passengers to Tenterfield and when do we accept the government will not fund a rail line nor do the Queensland Government plan on opening one to Wallangarra to Brisbane. Totally sick of the constant argument. It’s not ARC’s call the opening of a rail line.
Penny Williams exactly, raise the money and do it yourself. It’s a fail everywhere it’s been tried
Penny Williams ARC can be an advocate for the reopening of rail line north of Armidale. I wrote to the Mayor suggesting this. When hundreds and thousands are asking the two councils to be community advocates,they are still pursuing the rail trail dream without funding. I suspect that at least ARC must be planning to utilise a big slice of funds from REZ projects for the rail trail. We need to keep a close check on this possibility. During the Water Security Forum last night there was a suggestion to utilise money from REZ projects to restore Oaky Dam and raise Malpas dam wall. Sensible idea.
Penny Williams how do you say for sure that the govt will not fund? If so,why it is asking people to send their suggestions to improve transport infrastructure New England including rail? We either believe you or the NSW government!
Penny Williams Well said Penny. 👍
Let’s have a think, why would councils be keen to destroy infrastructure?
Well they gain alot out of those 100km of rail line in scrap value, no doubt to be pocketed because they are an illegal entity and should never have had the right to exist as per the 3 referendums they have ignored the results of…..Media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1325888222570665&set=p.1325888222570665&type=3
Armidale seem the most dangerous place for street riding bikes
We don’t need a fucking bike track we need the trains back
I’m the first one to point out this councils faults; however, you can’t hold them accountable for fixing a train line that has not been operational in over 30 years. I can’t remember the last time I rode a bike and think it’s a waste of money but there’s many that will use it. Speaking from experience, there’s not enough people that utilised public transport going north. I would often be the only person on the bus back from Brisbane in between Tenterfield and Glen Innes or here. If there aren’t enough passengers to support a coach, there certainly aren’t enough to justify the billions it would cost to restore the rail network. Those that are here to see the Olympics are here for that. They aren’t going to get on a train and travel 6 hours to Armidale.
Cameron Sinclair the reason “not enough people” is a furphy. The bus is bloody hopeless and so not used, although it has been full each time I’ve used it. Plus Community Transport is oversubscribed and expensive and has to be booked well in advance.
David Renn so how would a train be different?
Cameron Sinclair The line could be subsidised by freight. Train tourism is also booming across the country and the world.
Michael Hargreaves the government has every incentive NOT to use rail lines for freight. Every carriage on a train replaces a truck driver. That’s one less person employed, one less person getting superannuation, one less person they can tax, one less vehicle paying registration and insurance and a lot less fuel which is currently being taxed at 56 cents per litre.
Cameron Sinclair it won’t cost “billions” to reopen the railway. The “billions” are from those who want to see the railway removed so all transport is by road.
Penny Williams
I agree with you about the stupidity and continuing argument and push for the return of the Trains north of Armidale.
It is has been clearly stated by the previous NSW Liberal government and the current NSW Labor government that this will not happen.
The QLD Liberal government and and the previous QLD Labor government have both stated
The line from Warwick to Wallangarra is closed and will not be reopened.
Lynette Brennan penny you are so sure you know all the answers. But we just think different we see the Sydney bridge built .so they do but build things still .people just need to be seen and speak up . I T’s a free world .we need trains not bikes ir buses .Sydney gas them why can’t we .so we will keep putting our case forward .there is industry coming into a lot if the new England we live here we see it they need trains and staff. Ask these people not us who read face book .we see the trucks and the accidents on our roads .with heavy transport
There are no current plans. That’s all that tfnsw has said. However they are now putting together regional transport plans and national freight reforms together.
So maybe it’s in the next plan soon to be released in 2026.
Well truck drivers going to cause to many accidents on our roads and they are not going to see there families same as buses
Was thinking about this the other day, driving back from Glen Innes to Guyra. Thinking imagine a steam train or just any train coming up from the Hunter to stop off points say Armidale, Guyra, Glen Innes, Tenterfield etc. So many tourist option from then on, it would pump money into our local economy.
You can try a bike trail but your locking out 2/3rds of the tourist market age groups in my opinion. So much potential to be had, also why not the two rail and bikes?
For those wanting a tourist railway who’s paying thisMedia: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1900926053788573&set=p.1900926053788573&type=3