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.
Who is going to pay the hundreds of millions of dollars to resurrect the line?
Tourist trains are notorious financial black holes.
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?
New England Times Clearly yes, as you point out. However, there is $497,000 earmarked in ARC’s budget for preliminary works. The Mayor refuses to personally guarantee ratepayers of any future funding shortfalls, inviting the question whether he is acting in the community’s or personal interest? Hopefully, Mayor Sam Coupland will clarify as indulgences like the trail seem hard to justify (financial projections are not actuals) during a ‘cost of government’ crisis. Moreover, at a time when local small businesses are doing it tough, a southbound rail line into town – paid for by the State and Federal government – can only be a good thing to grow Armidale economically.
Michael Hargreaves to make matters worse, ARC has not yet finalised the Terms of Reference for the Future Fund it flawed last year to manage and reallocate funds received from Renewable Energy companies in New England REZ? We do not know whether the GM and Mayor are negotiating more funds in millions for the rail trail even without informing or obtaining consent from the full council. This process is not transparent and should be exposed for what it is? Our councillors have an obligation to ask the GM for an update as he has stated in a recent article in Northern Daily Leader that rail trail is one of two priorities for him.
Siri Gamage how does the GM get to decide Council priorities?
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.
Siri Gamage if they’re going to turn the new England into an industrial eye sore with all these planned Rez projects, (the biggest in the state of NSW) then I’m sure the council can get better compensation then a massive bike path.
Money is better invested elsewhere and diversified into wider community benefits.
Tanya Langdon-
aaaah yes the “climate change is not real” commentator. Do you believe local councils are illegal as well?
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!
The NSW government has stated that investment in railways will be strictly on the basis of demonstrable return on investment. There is no case for thin north of Armidale because there simply isn’t the population to justify it. There aren’t even enough potential passengers to justify running decent bus services, so how do you think rail services can make any sense?
Investment will go into upgrading already operating lines not anachronisms.
Penny Williams Well said Penny. 👍
Penny Williams glad you don’t realise that people avoid the coach services because they’re crap.
Sophia NA My own comment in this thread demonstrates just how inadequate the bus service is for many!!
Who says any government has to fund it in its entirety? No one ever talks about approaching private entities that might singularly or in a consortia fund rail for freight and possible intra-regional transport.
Nobody talks about private entities funding rail because it makes no economic sense for any entity to invest the kind of money required.
There are no businesses on the required scale north of Armidale and no competitive advantage for anyone to set one up.
Penny Williams most of the stupidity comes from your lot!
Penny Williams Tenterfield needs a bus service that is 1 actually usable and better then a one way ticket and 2 the new England and southern downs needs a bus service that can cross the imaginary line between Qld and NSW.
The bus service and timetable in current form is not usable and that’s not because there isn’t people that want to use it.
Also if people had a preferred method of public transport it would be the train not the bus.
Hence why 10000+ people petitioned government to bring back trains to the new England.
Tanya Langdon This!! 100% I’d prefer to use the train over the bus, anytime of the day!!
Penny Williams the line is open from Warwick to Ballandean. The line only needs some burnt out bridges and sleepers replaced to bring trains, employment and the tourist dollar back to Wallangarra/Jennings.
Ian Johnson different guages. So Queensland government doesn’t care if never repairs burn out bridges. No money in it to be made.
Ian Johnson won’t be happening
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
Never been to Sydney, eh? Sure, we don’t have many cycleways, but we don’t have nearly the number of aggressive drivers and heavy vehicles.
Sean Rodden why you say such thing
Roger Kirkwood try Kingscliff with its e bikes! Terrifying!
Roger Kirkwood yes with so many trucks and now this main street of tenterfield has bike riders as well . As it main office is in the main street where will the shopers park now. The vicehile
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 because a train actually caters to people with mobility issues and disabilities and has food.
David Renn
“The bus is hopeless and so not used, although it has been full each time I’ve used it”. Please make up your mind.
Cameron Sinclair really! 🙄
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.
Michael Hargreaves What freight? The stock and other products is trucked off farms to abbatoirs and markets . The nearest port is Brisbane and freight airport Toowoomba, and even if you had freight hubs the QLD lines are narrow gauge.Why would anyone add to the cost of products by adding freight transfer costs.
Train tourism is hardly booming at all. The railway museum in Tenterfield is a credit to its volunteers but it only gets a trickle of visitors. The heritage rail group in Armidale have access to the live line South and have not used it .
It’s simply not worth the many hundreds of millions on investments needed for the small number of potential passengers , whether for tourism or other travel.
What are popular are rail trails. And those visiting them stay longer and spend more than other tourists .
Cameron Sinclair Nonsense economics. The rural railways only operated on heavy subsidies paid for by all of us. Of course truck operations pay tax, they are successful profitable largely Australian businesses . They are successful because they take freight directly to and from destinations without the need for double handling.
It’s absurd thinking farmers and other businesses would want to add to shipping costs, particularly as the nearest ports, markets and freight distribution centres are in Queensland and not connected to the NSW rail system. And even with freight the North Coast line cannot carry passengers for less than airlines without heavy subsidies.
The rest of NSW is not interested in subsidising your rural railway for no more reason than some people like trains. We are willing to spend the more modest cost of developing a rail trail that will provide tourism and associated jobs and business opportunities. And yes those tourism businesses and workers like the truck drivers will pay taxes. It’s how we run our state and our country.
Peter Hatfield I think you believe what you want to believe. In the meantime, I’ll rely on significant studies in economics as to how rail opens regions and the promotion of rail tourism in nsw, qld, and vic. You only have to look at the condition our roads to see the amount of road freight. By contrast, I don’t see many bikes at the back of cars and Winnebagos on the NE highway.
Peter Hatfield you seem to be really good at spouting absolute rubbish.
Michael Hargreaves There are no studies that show an economic value in restoring rural rail. Common sense should tell you the huge investment and multiple handling makes it uneconomic.
Rail tourism is a small niche market. There are no studies that show the huge expenditure would attract significant tourist rail operators . If the potential was there why aren’t there more than very occasional tourist trips on the live line to New England?
Successive governments have told you they will not reopen the New England line. You know that’s true and you know full well it’s not going to happen. This is not about opening the rail. This is about disgruntled rail enthusiasts resenting others with a viable business case to
actually put the corridor to use as a rail trail. It’s churlish, petty negativity from people who have no serious concern about or understanding of regional transport or tourism, and certainly no interest in improving the amenities and attractions of their region for visitors and locals.
Peter Hatfield your talking through your tail end. The economic history of rail goes back hundreds of years in Australia, US, and Europe. How do you think the West was opened? With the exception of Narrabri, regional transport has recovered and surpassed pre-Covid levels. https://hotrails.net/2024/05/regional-nsw-station-patronage/
What happened hundreds of years ago before cars were invented is completely irrelevant. It was the rise of cars and trucks that spelt the end of trains in remote areas. Railways are now used for mass transit and don’t make sense in sparsely populated areas,
Stop looking to the past for solutions to the future and the proposals for a trail will make a lot more sense.
Cameron Sinclair Transport for NSW reports a driver shortage. Here is an AI summary: NSW and Australia are facing a truck driver shortage, with an estimated 28,000 unfilled positions in 2024, projected to rise to nearly 80,000 by 2029. The shortage is driven by an aging workforce, low numbers of new recruits, and issues with driver retention, which are exacerbated by the increasing demand for freight. Transport for NSW and other organizations are investigating policy responses, including improving driver attraction and retention, to address the issue.
Michael Hargreaves- In reference to your comment “you don’t see bikes on the back of cars or Winnebagos on the NE Highway”
“Build it & they will come.
This is whats happen in our area in the Northern Rivers 👍
Marilyn Brisbythank you. Happy to apply the ‘build it and they will come’ to rail. The coastal side of Northern Rivers also has proximity advantages to many other attractions – without the torturous trek to the coast – which appeal to families that Armidale doesn’t.
Michael Hargreaves what freight? Are you aware of how freight trains operate? The long forgotten services you are referring to used to be government owned and operated. No private operator is going to run a 5 carriage service it’s simply not profitable
Chris Hayes I have a saying, ‘that you can’t go forward looking in the rear vision mirror.’ That’s where this issue is stuck until the pro-bikers learn to compromise.
The rail enthusiasts are looking in the rear vision mirror by assuming a nineteen century transport system is the key to the future.
There is nothing to compromise on when there are no funds to resurrect the railway and there never will be.
Michael Hargreaves what freight ?
Lance Lyon The freight that is ruining our roads. We need to think in terms of Armidale being a transport hub. Btw, the question that you asked could also be put for the many bike trails around Armidale.
Michael Hargreaves and what rail companies have expressed an interest in running a loss-making freight service to the Northern Tablelands ?
Lance Lyon Who has asked them? The reality is that pro-bikers want to play the ball where it was and not where it is going to be. There’s already plenty of cycling tracks around Armidale and another is unlikely to do much for the local economy.
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.
Paul McCann really because estimates that were released were in excess of over a few million for less than 5km of track?
Cameron Sinclair new passing loop at Coolamon 1.5 kilometres $11 million
Phillip Davidge cheaper then that waste of money Metro conversion.
Cameron Sinclair where did you get those costings? They are grossly inflated by those who want the tracks ripped up.
Paul McCann yes probably more as it would need to be completely relaid and it only went to border. Queensland line bridges burnt out a couple of years ago and have not been repaired. Different guages anyway.
Cameron Sinclair many will not use the current coach service as it’s uncomfortable and not user friendly for those with disabilities and mobility issues. Also the last train north of Armidale was 2005.
Jason Russell was it a passenger train? How far did it travel north of Armidale, are you referring to the trains that delivered superphosphate to Dumaresq?
On ya bike then…
Cameron Sinclair- I don’t understand…. Why is the bus hopeless. It gets you from A to B just like a train.
Marilyn Brisby someone else said that. Not me
Marilyn Brisby the bus service is basically a one way ticket. It’s not particularly suitable for day trips. It’s time table is just unusable. Also the bus service fails to cross the border.
It lacks usable times and frequency and it’s limited.
Plus most people hate traveling on buses and they’re definitely not good for those who have disabilities, walking aids, wheelchairs, mobility issues or weight issues, even incontinence issues because half the time the toilets are out of use on them.
Michael Hargreaves Hatfield is a regular pest and lives in Ballina! 🙄
Marilyn Brisby according to northern rivers counters on the bike path they came and they left and the numbers keep dropping.
Ticked and flicked.
Cameron Sinclair where other councils are advocating for public transport, rail and other forms, I don’t see them doing much. I also have not seen much happen in the last twenty years in terms of creating and maintaining routes for active transport. That would be a start.
Cameron Sinclair you are correct. The same reason the Casino to Murwillumbah line closed, no one used it to cover the running costs.
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
Joy King will only be for freight
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.
Lynette Brennan fake account.
Sophia NA- where do you live? Penrith? Keep your union nose out of the New England.
Lynette Brennan you are wrong in your facts about the entire railway between Armidale and Warwick. The stupidity rests with your lot!
Lynette Brennan stupidity is wasting tens of millions of dollars on a bike path. When there’s better things to do.
Lynette Brennan so lets rip up the under used main local roads north of Armidale then for pure bike tracks.? Fair outcome?
Phillip Buckley which under used roads bro? The New England needs to be redone with more passing lanes for all the caravans or are they going to be loaded onto trains. You need to get out more if you think we need to waste money on train lines when the roads need more money investment.
David Dumigan you really should be more aware of my country background before you comment…
David Dumigan ignor that guy as he lives in sydney and drives every where to take his million close up brick photos but yet screams the house down every time there is a truck crash or is screaming for everybody to use a train but doesnt take its own advice.
Phillip Buckley well country boy, what roads are under used and should be ripped up?
Well truck drivers going to cause to many accidents on our roads and they are not going to see there families same as buses
Patrick Scott What trucks?They all take the Pacific Highway now because it’s shorter and doesn’t climb all the way up to nearly 1500 meters just to go down again.
Patrick Scott I’d prefer less long distance trucks, and using the rail lines to transport what they do.
Having regional hubs, where short distances trucks would then branch out from.
Thus, hopefully, causing less accidents, by putting less pressure on them, and allowing them to have better work/ life balance.
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?
Billy Robb it would also be wonderful to repair and restart train travel from Stanthorpe to Sydney. Currently no bus service from Stanthorpe to Sydney. Need to drive to Tenterfield (find somewhere to leave the car)st then bus to Armidale and train to Sydney. Unfortunately many of the wooden bridges have been burnt in bushfires. The replacement cost would be the government excuse for not returning this vital service.
Denise Ingram there has never been a train from Stanthorpe to Sydney. Good luck getting Queensland and NSW to reopen lines that bring them no income and will cost a fortune to restore just to please a few people living in the past. The bus service is far quicker than a train could be and costs NSW taxpayers far less to subsidise.
Denise Ingram modern times bridges are quick cheap and easy to fix.
Richard Cerveny NSW Govt has been happy to spend $Bs to provide new train services for people living in present-day Sydney Metro.
Stephen Cooke 5+ million people versus how many in the New England? Common sense… urban areas make effective use of public transport.
Richard Cerveny $26B / 5M people = 12K p/p, x 187K (population of New England) = $2.25B. That ought to be enough for decent public transport, surely?
Stephen Cooke spending on roads, bus services around the New England… and subsidising the New England Explorer. It doesn’t mean the money should be thrown away on a line that has no economic value.
Richard Cerveny does economic value include the social value, or is it straight $$$?
Stephen Cooke if it isn’t being used how has it any value other than historic?
Denise Ingram it never crossed border at Queensland doesn’t have standard Guage. Would need a whole new line. Queensland hasn’t even repaired the burnt out bridges to border that were burnt two years ago.
Denise Ingram Or just extend the NSW coach to Stanthorpe or the Brisbane Stanthorpe coach to Tenterfield.. A simple solution without a billion dollar price tag.
Billy Robb If people want railway service back join this page to get proactive – https://www.facebook.com/groups/ontrackregionalnswrailways
Billy, yes, I’d love to be able to get a train from Sydney to Tenterfield to see family. Not everyone from the Big City has a car!
Felicity Blake there is public transport from Sydney to Tenterfield. It runs every day and is used by many. Not everyone from the Big Country has a train line they can use.
Stu, regional Australians deserve a functional public transport network. Put the trains back on our tracks!
Felicity Blake so why do you think Trains are the most functional form of public transport? Passenger trains have only served a very small area of regional Australians. I have family in Warialda…..for as long as I can remember there has never been a complete passenger rail service through there. We used to have to catch a rail motor (a bus on tracks with no toilet or air conditioning) from Moree to Warialda. Do you think the serious argument for returning the trains to the New England line is for Sydney based people to visit family in Tenterfield? When there already is daily public transport to Tenterfield from Sydney?
Rail is part of a functioning, integrated public transport network. The buses are insufficient. Regional Australians deserve to be able to get from one area to another (for instance, Tenterfield to Armadale) via rail, as well as rail bringing lucrative visitors from outside the area.
For those wanting a tourist railway who’s paying thisMedia: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1900926053788573&set=p.1900926053788573&type=3
New England Times you are flogging a Dead horse!!!
Kay Pell we think different to you Kay so we won’t have to worry about your concern. As we need this way of life to be see to our future in country towns seeing the city of full of people . So it’s going to be us people who want this to happen . People who have studied these trains and how they are built is what we listern to .it’s a different world to 30 years ago .that’s what we see itsciuntry living different and working different it’s a very interesting time in this country towns now and in the future bikes are for pleasure trainsare for transport and freight and jobs big difference.
Joy King i don’t disagree with you. It wld be lovely to see the trains running, however as Penny Williams said the government has made a decision!
Kay Pell yes but itsnot the government who builds the trains . They haven’t got any money only ours .the don’t work they talk .that’s all they can do. We work they dont. So don’t worry we get bye people vote so that’s where it might matter .may be a new government might see things different who knows ?
Joy King what happened to David Peters ?
Wasn’t he going to open the line?
Where are investors coming from ?
How do they get ROI ?
Where is freight coming from ?
How will modern trains operate on a line that was barely fit for purpose 100 years ago?
What are the environmental impacts to rebuild the rail line with adequate gradient and radius of curve to allow it to travel faster than 40kph?
What happens to people once they get to Tenterfield?
Where is the tourism draw cards to attract people there?
Happy to hear your thoughts 💭
Kay Pell of course they are, they encourage or at least facilitate those who are misinformed and don’t know what they are talking about. Unfortunately they rely on regurgitating their ignorance to stir up comment on their underwhelming publication.
I wonder what the narrative will be when the rail trail opens and cements itself as the transformational project we all know it will be.
I hope they will be honourable enough to admit their misguided stance on the matter.
Media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10232340043217523&set=p.10232340043217523&type=3
We need public transport and it’s hard up north with nothing. The trains are vital for all Australians and the tracks and corridors are federal owned. Just fix the train lines and watch the tourists come
Trevor Taylor- These rail lines were shut down many years ago because of lack of use. Most people prefer to use their cars for travel these days. It gets them right to the front door. Not getting off at a train station looking for buses or taxis.
Marilyn Brisby I’d prefer not to damage my car driving hundreds of miles on a pot hole filled highway with great big dangerous trucks and kangaroos, deers and pigs running out at you.
Tanya Langdon 91% of the population own a car and it’s very hard to get them out of them
Phillip Davidge there’s no choice on the new England as there is no public transport that’s usable to get around with, so we are car dependant. However families are in general trending back to one car families, cars are expensive to buy and maintain, licences are harder to get and to keep. Fines are plenty, anyone can loose a licence in a day or weekend if they’re not careful. Medical conditions are becoming more and more scrutinized. Age tests and people living longer. So more and more people will require public transport.
Tanya Langdon- what is wrong with disabled access buses? Are you too precious to use one? Talk about entitled
Marilyn Brisby well a lot of elderly people here can’t drive, big cities are very different from cities
Tanya Langdon My mother and I, neither drive or own a car. We have to rely of others to get us where we need, use the insufficient public transport or go nowhere.
A train only goes on tracks. It would not be a public transport solution for any but those who live near and need to travel to places near railway stations.
Better targeted bus services could be implemented at a fraction of the cost of running trains for a tiny minority before even considering the hundreds of millions of dollasr required to resurrect the railway.
Nobody is bring back the train. It is a pointless fantasy.
Sam Sam MacMurray it’s isolating and others don’t understand just how stressful trying to get around is, they think we have this magic bus service and it just dosnt exist.
Media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1901072657107246&set=p.1901072657107246&type=3
Trevor Taylor the tracks and corridors are owned by the state, not the federal government.
Trevor Taylor If people want railway service back join this page to get proactive – https://www.facebook.com/groups/ontrackregionalnswrailways
Because our council runs its own agendas, not its residents.
The problem with this debate – that is causing unneeded division – is that the pro-rail people aren’t anti-bikes. I have seen many a suggestion for compromise. By contrast, the pro-bike people are anti-rail. To those of you who vote for the Nats, the late rail loving Tim Fischer (affectionately known as 2 minute Tim) would be turning in his grave over the shameful behaviour.
Michael Hargreaves you have hit the nail on it’s head. Pro rail people are happy to see the corridor shared with a recreational trail as long as it is a minimum of 3 metres from the outside edge of the track and separated with a fence.. The pro trail people clearly have an agenda to see the railway ripped up. That will create a monopoly for road transport. Maybe that is what they really want!
Michael Hargreaves
I am pro rail trail & I happen to love trains. I also believe reality should be a stakeholder in all discussions.
Successive governments have said No to the return of trains so the option of a rail trail should be taken up if possible.
Have a look at the figures for the Northern Rivers Rail Trail averaging @ 10,000 visitors to per month.
Since opening, 1 March, 2023 261,820 trail users
Monthly average 9,351 users
Again misinformation Michael. The trail people know Tim was a supporter of trails! Why, because it keeps the infrastructure, heritage and rail values alive!
I don’t see the pro rail people discussing the brewing problems of keeping rail going from Tamworth to Armidale;)
Now that’s a service the trail people want! Just think about the facts….shooting from the hip doesn’t help economic development;)
David Mills thanks for admitting your misinformation. I’ve posted stats and sites on the growth in regional rail and the number of local bike trails in existence.
I’d wager if part of the rail corridor was going to be used for horse riders, Deni McKenzie would be all for it 🤦.
Where have all you pro-train people been for the last 35 years? Crickets. Nothing. Nada. Until cyclists were mentioned 🤔
To compete the new England bike path 200km and deliver an ‘international tourist attraction’ fully completed, including the necessary bits to get from town (to buy that coffee and toasted sandwich) and back to the bike trail to get to the next town to rent that accommodation. How much money will be needed?
100 million just to build it, repair the bridges, correctly surface it, toilets, water, picnic tables, rubbish bins, security cameras, lighting, shelters from sun and cold, signage, promotion, staff and rangers ECT ECT the list is very long.
I think 100 million won’t even go close to getting it complete.
I mean we are being sold an international tourist attraction and that’s what it would take, if not it’s just a fail trail. $$$🔥
Tanya Langdon the best rail trails generally are a gravel surface only hard surfaces near towns, in Australia they usually don’t repair the bridges they use a bypass instead, no rangers, toilets usually only in towns, no need for security cameras, I’ve never seen staff on a rail trail maybe just some volunteers.
The list is long if you want it to be, and you might might not be far off on the cost. You can look where this has happened over and over again and see how successful trails have been.
Some of the landscapes the rail goes through up here would be as good if not better than any trail I’ve ridden around the world. And some lovely towns as well.
Or could just let the rail rot away…
Jeremy Barbe umm these bike trails without rails are sold to us being disability friendly, do they have 4wd wheel chairs to go on bumpy gravel paths with washouts from the rain?
From what I’ve read in most rail trail groups is ‘cant wait until it’s finished’
So really what your saying is the most used part is really only the one or two Kilometers in the CBD that locals might use. The rest is nothing more then a mountain bike goat track filled with bumps, stacks and washouts.
Who are these volunteers and where do they come from? It’s an awful lot of maintenance. Otago in NZ has rangers that travel it for safety and maintenance.
So what happens with the old rail bridges? Do they just leave them to rot like the Sunnyside bridge? Or do they spend millions fixing them as done on the bvrt? Just leave that for another day and another grant.
Like what is council making here? A goat track or a world class rail trail. Because we are being sold an international tourist attraction. So how will we stand out on the world scale of places to visit?
Will they come to see the solar farms bordering on it? The wind turbines in the distant hills? Is it really postcard worthy? I suppose the big things in Australia make postcards, we could have the big battery plant. That will put us on the fridge worthy magnets of Australia I’m sure.
Jeremy Barbe but thankyou for agreeing 100million to do the rail trail in basic form is a reasonable estimate.
Of course that’s no toilets built on it. And 40ks between towns is a long days walk without a pit stop.
The grants being sourced seem to equal around 500k/km give or take so a 200km rail trail in basic gravel form would be 100milliin plus.
That is alot of money for a bike path, an awful lot.
Maybe it should just stay a sheep run to feed the sheep and we can all save money. 🐏🐑
The tourists actually take lots of photos of the old rusty rail line anyway. Perhaps it’s more of a tourist attraction as it is.
Tanya, there will be big change from a $100M trail. Train for $1B for 3 passengers and no freight to Tenterfield 🤔.
What bout the $8.2M mountain bike park currently being built in Tenterfield called Angry Bull Trails…Friends of New England Rail Trail Inc. will be the biggest alliance to the regional success….massive opportunity for the region.
David Mills yes Tenterfield votes against destroying rail lines, maybe Glen and Armidale should have chosen mountain bikes it’s a much more achievable project.
As for a 100million dollar bike path for a minority group of peddle enthusiastic people like yourself to ride on , to return an insignificant few cups of coffee into the region not such a good investment.
You should dream bigger and perhaps put that bike path beside a rail line and really do something for this region’s economy.
Tanya, it’s the biggest 22 year old dream at the moment, which is coming to reality real soon;)
The next inclusive dream is in the making, and will see ‘a cup of coffee and toasted sanga’ look like a gourmet meal 🤗.
You need to look at reality and the big picture buddy, and how things work and what the majority want;)
By the way, the rails north of Glen are completely stuffed! They will never see modern trains again…fact! Some sections date back to the 1800’s…go and have a look, it’s stamped on them around Bolivia;)
Have a great weekend 🤗.
David Mills but the majority dosnt want a bike path, the ratepayers don’t want it and neither does Tenterfield. How many members does nert have? 10, that’s not a majority lol
Tanya Langdon The BVRT as a project was started in 2007 and took 11 years to develop to the full 161km and “In total, approx. $40 million has been invested in the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail by different levels of government for improvements to the rail trail…” source https://www.brisbanevalleyrailtrail.com.au/the-history-of-the-brisbane-valley-rail-trail-users-association/
So how do you justify an estimate of $100million?
The last time I went for a bicycle ride was a Saturday in the beginning of August when I took my 30yr old road bicycle for a spin along the BVRT trail between Linville and my friends house in Yarraman. I started counting the bikes passing me as I went but I lost count shortly after 200. I estimate that there were probably 250 cyclists on that part of the trail while I was out there.
It was all gravel, not paved sections. There were also walkers and horse riders that I did not count. There were complete families with Mum, Dad, kids and dogs and even an infant in a stroller. Linville was busy, Blackbutt was busy as was Yarraman. The scenery was spectacular and the most comforting aspect of the day was that I felt entirely safe and protected from cars and trucks. It is my 4th visit to Blackbutt by bicycle and about 10th ride on some part of the BVRT in 3 years.
It is the same story on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
$3.7 million added to the Tweed economy in the first year of operation of just the 24 km Stage one section. It has rejuvenated Murwillumbah, particularly the south side of the river and the formerly languishing little villages of Burringbar and Mooball are booming.
Tanya Langdon 100 million to return a rail reserve to a gravel rail trail! Wow… and what would it cost to restore a rail reserve to a fully functioning rail system complete with all the modern safe infrastructure such as accessible trains and stations, modern signalling system, capable flood resilient bridges, safe, secure and smooth rail lines, points and sidings. Maybe a couple of million should be able to be recouped from passenger and freight sales.
Stephen Joyner if you think spending that much on a bike path that recoupes no user fees and is totally free to use, and makes no return. It’s completely insane.
Yet you compare it to a railway line that could move passengers and freight and return huge economic benefits as well as user fees. I’m sorry how do you justify a 100 million dollar bike path? You can’t.
It isn’t even trains v bikes,
It’s it’s bloody insane to spend that much on a bike path to lump the ratepayers with.
And you can ride the local back roads from armidale to guyra with out needing to go anywhere near the main highway.
Maybe spend a million bucks on some signs showing people how to ride on them roads.
Take boorolong road past dumaresq station area.
Turn right onto toms gully road then turn left onto black mountain road and follow it all the way to guyra and you dont need to spend 100 million bucks on some new signs and that way pretty much follows the railway.
“Back roads” are still used by motor vehicles. They are not the car and truck free spaces that attract families to tour with the young and old . People don’t visit an area to risk their lives sharing narrow roads with cars and trucks.
Back roads don’t have the gentle gradients of a rail trail that allow everyone to be able to use them.
Can we give this a rest!! The line closed because we didn’t use it. FFS!!
Warren Coventry not true
Debby O’Brien 100% true. If we used it it would still be running!
That’s right Debby, it’s not yet closed….but totally abandoned by all governments at all levels with only two potential….herbivores and trail users. Hope you’re doing well.
Debby O’Brien come on Debra you know it’s true
Warren Coventry – this week it is Deni Mckenzie with a unfounded opinion piece, next week it will be Siri Gamage and then it will be Rick Banyard. Waiting for Jack Arnold to have his 2c worth too. If it is anti trail and pro rail you can be assured it will get a run here!
Warren Coventry No we won’t give this a rest. If you don’t like what we post then go find another page to follow.
Can’t believe that you’re relying on DM for your information. Thought this was a newspaper, not a gossip/opinion rag!
Time to have groups of up to 10 people turning up in electoral offices of State and Federal politicians. Take a letter setting out your matter and ensure everyone signs in. The Member does not have to be present but keep up s pattern of calls including Senators. Called constituent activity.
David Thackrah – 10 people is about the amount of people regularly using the bus north of Armidale…
Steve Hodges
Definite transport and population statistics?
More people would use the train if we had one
Audrey McArdle
More people than use it now, yes I agree 😂
Audrey McArdle If people want railway service back join this page to get proactive – https://www.facebook.com/groups/ontrackregionalnswrailways
Audrey McArdle and it won’t be restored since there isn’t the numbers to justify it.
Audrey McArdle No they wouldn’t. There. Refuted your argument with the same weight of evidence.
Audrey McArdle most definitely
Audrey McArdle they didn’t. That’s why it closed.
Audrey McArdle If they were there and/ or better utilised, I’d for sure be a frequent user of them.
I can’t utilise them, if they’re not there for me to utilise!
Audrey McArdle no they wouldn’t , to slow
Bring the train back all the way up to Brisbane or even Toowoomba
Colin Blunt it never crossed the Queensland border as two different guages.
David Dumigan that’s true, you had to change trains at Wallangarra, My mum’s parents lived in Ipswich we used to catch the train 30 k’s north of Coolah to Tamworth via werris creek then catch the train that came down from Sydney, we would wait sometime with mums cousin the stationmaster
David Auld it’s an easy fix you just add a third rail from wallyngara
Colin Blunt Colin now you’re talking common sense, Unfortunately common sense doesn’t exist within most of our current politicians
David Auld hahaha funny sense
yes it needs to
Council is not hiding anything, it’s just engaging with reality.
Lachlan Smith these days engaging with reality sounds like a conspiracy to some… :/
Let me share an article that was published a very long time ago in the Tenterfield Star (It is available on Trove) and it is clear that passenger trains were never successful nor were they well patronised north of Armidale.
Please people, read it, then consider the constant misinformation that exists around this white elephant that was train services north of ArmidaleMedia: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10232339131714736&set=p.10232339131714736&type=3
Ripping up train lines has to be one of the most backwards, short-sighted ideas imaginable.
This country is a joke sometimes. We should have high speed rail connecting Melbourne Sydney to Brisbane, opening up towns and creating real opportunities.
But no, everything here comes down to real estate, quick profits, and zero vision.
No investment. No innovation. No forward thinking.
Steve Colman ha that’s literally what a rail trail is… investment, innovation and forward thinking.
Or let the rail lines rot away.
Jeremy Barbe bikes? Taking us back to riding penny farthings in the 1800’s is not progress, it’s regress.
Tanya, funny comment. Did you know the electric car and combustion car were invented at the same time? What’s happening now?
David Mills whats happening now? Every country around the world is reactivating rail lines and building fast rail and light rail systems. Smart transport systems.
Except the new England region where people like you advocate to keep us stagnant and hold us back from progressing into the future..
The mythology of the rail fanatics is easily exposed by simply asking them to name the railway lines comparable to their pet local line that are being reactivated in any country.
They can’t because they don’t exist.
And absolutely nobody is building fast or light rail systems through sparsely populated areas. In any case, the old lines and their corridors are not suitable for either technology.
The truth is that countries all over the world have long been turning their disused railways into trails. NSW is a very long way behind.
Steve Colman Yes it probably should but it’s not going to come via the northern tablelands. It will go along the coast where the people are.
Too much damage to bridges from fires and deterioration. Now you hardly could get them going again. All those ones up at Tenterfeild either burnt out or deteriorated. The cost of replacing them would be very expensive. Yes it would be handy to get freight and that off the road, but either way you’ve got income coming in by the trucks so I don’t think it’ll be viable and you say if the trains were there you’d use them if that was the case. Why did we lose them? People weren’t using them so you’ll lose them.
Ah politics and local Councils .
This happens with every rail trail propasal – the trolls come out to make a nuisance of themselves with their absurd claims, The railway closed for a good reason – it was no longer economically viable. Restoring it to modern standards would cost millions. Currently it’s doing nothing, but if turned into a rail trail, it will serve 10s of thousands of people and improve the health and welfare of the local community. Your council is on the right track.
Paul Heymans is the rail trail economically viable?
Can the councils get the many grants that will be needed? They’ve failed at grants before? How many grants will it take to build it? Can the councils here that struggle with budgets afford it?
How much will it cost the ratepayers? Can they guarantee it won’t make further rate rises?
Is the rail trail really financially affordable?
Tanya Langdon Our experience with the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail over the past 10 years is that the rail trail has been a huge economic success. When we started, we faced the same doom and gloom from the naysayers, but we proved them wrong.
Paul Heymans the bvrt has been getting built for well over twenty years, nearly 30, and it’s still far from completed.
Also you can not compare bvrt to our situation here.
1. Transport and main roads helps to fund it for the biggest part, it dosnt fall solely on council shoulders.
2. The Qld government allocates set budgets to help with rail trails in Qld.
3. Seq water also takes responsibilty for some of the costs involved in parts.
3. The pools of ratepayers along bvrt are huge and also it has many councils applying for grants to improve it
Not only is the rate payers pool huge but the huge population is in close proximity to it, so it gets mostly local and Day tripper half day use. Not so much on the overnight stays.
You simply can not compare bvrt to the new England. Because nothing is the same. It’s oil and water, apples and rocks. There’s nothing aligned with it.
Tanya Langdon Rubbish.
1. Transport and main roads helps to fund it for the biggest part, it dosnt fall solely on council shoulders.
Funding was a joint effort between Federal, State and Local goverment.
2. The Qld government allocates set budgets to help with rail trails in Qld.
No it doesn’t.
3. Seq water also takes responsibilty for some of the costs involved in parts.
No they don’t.
3. The pools of ratepayers along bvrt are huge and also it has many councils applying for grants to improve it. Not only is the rate payers pool huge but the huge population is in close proximity to it, so it gets mostly local and Day tripper half day use. Not so much on the overnight stays.
80% of the rail trail is in Somerset, which is a very small local council int terms of rate payers. Plenty of overnight stays.
You simply can not compare bvrt to the new England. Because nothing is the same. It’s oil and water, apples and rocks. There’s nothing aligned with it.
Sorry, but you could not be more wrong.
Paul Heymans yes as I said seq water funds it that’s in Sommerset is it not.
So your the one trying to sell rubbish mate.
The councils here can’t get the funding to build it never the less maintain it.
It’s not only a one hundred million dollar project on basic entry level standards it will take them one hundred years to build it lol
That’s the cold hard reality.
The councils can’t do the impossible dream. It’s a fantasy.
Tanya Langdon Please stop it with the misinformation and alternate facts.
Paul Heymans facts are facts. The Queensland government not only commited funding for building the bvrt it also committed money to cover it ass into the future decades. It didn’t just dump it on the councils.
The way bvrt is funded is completely different to how NSW does their rail trails.
What is nert doing besides demanding the lines be ripped up and hounding council ?
Brisbane valley has many sources to build it fund it maintain it.
Truth is there is no strategic plan for the new England rail trail, other then the mentality of build it and they will come, that’s baseless rubbish. Facts and figures??. There are none. It’s being built on hopes and bloody prayers lol
Tanya Langdon So, I live in Somerset (check the spelling btw), the BVRT is my local trail, I’m president of the BVRT Users Association, I’m a member of the TMR BVRT Steering committee, I operate the BVRT Guide website, and I’ve been involved in campaigning for the BVRT for 10 years. Now please tell us your qualifications.
Paul Heymans and not only that tourism Queensland steps up to the table to promote the rail trail up there, has NSW gov tourism commited to anything? Or is it just dumping that on the tiny councils to. You see to make these things tourism attractions, it takes a while heap of COMMITMENTS not just big ideas hopes prayers and dreams. Either it’s a rail trail or a fail trail. And so far it’s only a fail trail destined to fail. There’s no foundations and no backing and no formal commitments. And they want to waste millions of dollars on it. Absolutely crazy.
New England Rail trail is a great idea. I applaud your local council.
Paul Heymans oh ok so your better then me, because I’m not a member of a rail trail lol and your a Grammer n’zi to lol does that discredit me because I didn’t spel summerset write, oh ok just more stupid thinking.
You don’t need to be qualified to find any of this information it’s all out there on the great wide web. I can see then you a very much a commited pro trailer campaigner and obviously hate hearing the cold hard truth. If your that closely associated with bvrt then you should know exactly how many levels of government have gone into it and continue into it.
What the model is in Qld is most definitely not the model here in NSW.
Paul Heymans p.s. there is no documentation anywhere on any rail trail that specifically says anything about economic success. Nor how much people actually spend.
Rail trails say they increase tourism by 2% or 5% but guess what tourism increases everywhere every year by 2% or 5% however like I say there’s no actual document to say what a rail trail actually directly contributes to tourism in the area.
The counters are even flawed, they don’t say if it was a local that passed by it, a day tripper, or an over nighter. So there’s no proof they are tourism boom busters.
The only thing they’ve been accurate about is from the initial opening the numbers drop after the tick and flick.
The business plan here suggests it will add 5million once completed (completed is a bit of a grey area lol) but it thinks it will add 5million to the ‘region’ in economic benefits, divide that by the registered business in the region, everyone gets $2. Yay your cup of coffee has saved the day and given 3 more kids a part time weekend junior wage job making coffee. And that’s supposed to be economic success.
If we want economic success we shouldn’t be destroying a rail line that has the potential to bring hundreds of millions into the region. Of course you can always build a bike path beside the line, win win for all and let’s really do what’s best for the new England region.
Tanya Langdon Just stop it with your ill-informed misinformation. You have no idea what you’re talking about.
Paul Heymans oh sorry I didn’t mean to offend you with the truth. Reality does suck.
Tanya Langdon It’s a well researched area – there is loads of information about the economic bebefits of rail trails. Just stop making it up and do some research.
Paul Heymans I actually have done alot of research from Brisbane to Victoria to NZ and America.
I didn’t just read the rail trail brochure and blindly go oh ok sure lol
Tanya Langdon You could have fooled me.
Paul Heymans I mean I do get your perspective, you want to come here maybe once or twice a year, take a photo of your bike leaning up against a post, and go home again. You don’t have to pay to use it, you don’t have to worry about paying rates to maintain it, you don’t even care how it gets funded, you just want another rail trail. And that’s all fine and dandy, but honey, someone has to pay the bills. And since your riding for free, that ain’t Gunna pay for squat diddly nothing.
Paul Heymans you haven’t fooled me. There’s much better investments then bike paths to be had for the money.
Paul Heymans health and welfare? The local residents don’t need rate rises for feeding white elephant bike paths.
Go ask NZ councils how they feel about their rate rises. The rates have risen that much to keep up the repairs and maintenance they can’t squeeze any more blood out of them. The trails are facing closures because theres no money to fix them and maintain the bridges, so now the government has to bail out the councils.
Absolute money pits. They cost more then they make.
Tanya Langdon So now you’re effectively admitting you know sweet fa about how rail trails work.
Paul Heymans lol your a pro rail trailer to the point your affiliated with a rail trail club,
Pretty sure that means your all about pros and try to hide the cons, not all is positive mate, everything has negatives to.
It’s called balance. And that being a pro rail trail pusher is something your not capable of. .
Qld rail trails are funded very different to NSW
That’s a fact.
This is a local issue and the rates and the community needs and council situation dosnt t affect you. I suggest you stick to worrying about your side of the border and promoting your own beloved rail trail.
Actually finish the bvrt then come comment lol
Tanya Langdon Where do you get this nonsense from? The BVRT was completed in 2018.
Paul Heymans opened and complete really are not the same thing, especially when it comes to rail trails. By complete I guess you mean, ‘all the rails finally got ripped up’
So council can’t even keep all their roads in good shape, and you want them to fix an decrepit railway line that doesn’t even belong to them.
Dave Woods if they can’t keep up with the roads and parks they already have, how the heck will they keep a massive bike path in useable conditions.
You think drivers complain about pot holes, wait till the river of tears flow from bike riders over washouts and tiny bumps.
Council is pushing for a rail trail because there is absolutely no chance of restoring rail service to that line. The government has repeatedly made it clear that it has no plans to restore the line for trains and will not fund it.
The choice is not trail or trains. It’s trail or… nothing! The line continues to rot and is unavailable for use by the community. A trail will bring many benefits. It’s time for the community to get behind it and stop barking at the moon!
Sam Reich This is worth repeating:
option A: nada, nix, nothing, ie: the status quo.
option B: rail trail. New and thus scary for most New Englanders.
Sam Reich the choice is not trains v bikes.
The choice is can they afford to build and maintain a rail trail?
The answer to that strongly suggests NO they can’t.
Previous funding wasn’t enough, they sourced more grants, still couldn’t get it over the line. Then they just can’t find the money to maintain it either.
New England rail trail is a fail trail.
Sam Reich that post is full of incorrect facts. Private investors are willing to fund the reopening the railway. The local councils instead of supporting them instead are choosing to ignore the,
There are no private investors coming forward, just myths and hearsay.
Nobody is going to plough millions of dollars into a railway the can never own, that has no chance of ever returning a profit.
This is very exciting to hear! Hopefully the councils north are considering this too.
Media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10161863543522078&set=p.10161863543522078&type=3
Some time ago I consulted for State Rail when they were closing the Casino to Murwillumbah line. I found out then the real reason the line was closed was not lack of patronage but the huge cost of replacing/repairing the bridges which were becoming unsafe
Nanda Fraser These 2 factors aren’t unrelated. If you have sufficient patronage you can afford to maintain the line.
If people want railway service back join this page to get proactive – https://www.facebook.com/groups/ontrackregionalnswrailways
Huh, so how does this opinion piece expand on the previous anti rail trail piece you posted previously, other than insinuating corruption. (Hiding something suggests a cover-up). Will you keep printing this person’s virtually identical posts every week, or just when you’re short on content?
Rail trails, which convert disused railway corridors into shared-use paths, offer a wide range of benefits for individuals, the economy, the community, and the environment. They are designed for activities like walking, cycling, and horse riding, often featuring gentle grades and running through scenic landscapes.
Health and recreation
Encourage active lifestyles: By providing safe, car-free spaces for recreation, rail trails motivate people of all ages and fitness levels to get outdoors and exercise.
Improve physical health: Regular physical activity, such as walking or cycling on rail trails, can help with weight loss, improve cardiovascular health, and increase bone density.
Support mental well-being: Spending time in nature can lower stress, improve mood, and enhance creativity.
Accessible for all: The gentle slopes of former railway lines make rail trails more accessible for families, seniors, and people with mobility issues, including those using wheelchairs.
Economic growth
Boost tourism: Rail trails attract visitors, both local and international, who bring business to nearby cafes, restaurants, accommodation providers, and bike rental shops.
Stimulate regional economies: The influx of tourists and increased local activity can inject new life into small towns, creating jobs and helping new businesses grow.
Increase property values: Homes near well-maintained rail trails often experience an increase in value.
Create cost-effective infrastructure: Repurposing existing railway corridors is more affordable than developing new pathways from scratch.
Community and cultural preservation.
Strengthen communities: By connecting neighborhoods and towns, these pathways become hubs for social interaction and community events.
Preserve heritage: Rail trails are a way of saving and repurposing historic railway infrastructure, such as old bridges, tunnels, and station buildings. These can be integrated into the trail experience, sometimes as museums or information centers.
Serve as public spaces: Former railway yards can be transformed into valuable public spaces like parks, gardens, or venues for markets.
Environmental benefits
Promote sustainable transport: By encouraging walking and cycling over driving, rail trails help reduce carbon emissions and vehicle traffic.
Conserve habitats: Rail trails create green corridors that can act as protected habitats for native plants and animals, and may also link up existing patches of vegetation.
Railway will now either remain empty or get sold off piece by piece. Thanks to delusional, wishful thinking.
Thanks for outlining the facts Paul.
Having used the BVRT and knowing your history, your comment is undeniable 🙏🏼.
David Mills I’m not against rail trails. I just think a trail to a destination, like dangars, would be better. There is nothing out that way past dumaresq station. Not much before it either !
David Mills Good onya David. Unfortunately there’s those so blind who REFUSE to see the light ? Rail Trails are thriving in the Sunshine State! Paul’s discription is spot on ! Personally been through all the, negative drama. Come on NSW don’t get left behind ! Start campaining.
Paul Heymans went past the northern rivers one last year. Three people on it ! At least there a pubs cafes etc on it
John Barton
Media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1902589630288882&set=p.1902589630288882&type=3
Paul Heymans booralong is soon to be inundated with wind turbines – fantastic sight on a bike ride ! Or a horse – getting spooked. How would the council go getting sued for an accident because of that
John Barton – thanks Karen. What nonsense. Familiarise yourself with the Civil Liability Act in NSW.
I wonder if they have considered the clean up of the asbestos from the brake pads on the locos coming down black mountain
Steve Hodges I’m sure someone would try to find a loophole. That’s what lawyers are for
Paul Heymans they are only doused because funds were redirected and then neglect set in. It was a deliberate govt act. Same with Casino to Murwillumbah… terrible. There could have been a train and a rail trail 😔
Paul Heymans so hundreds of extra trucks on our roads is good for our environment. You need to check your facts!
With so many bike trails already, why aren’t there more cyclists in and around town supporting local businesses? https://www.newenglandhighcountry.com.au/cycling-in-armidale
We had the same arguments here in the Tweed Valley. Abandoned rail corridor, inaccessible, wasted infrastructure , train gone for more than 20 years, now turned into a rail trail. These are the facts. Massive tourist and business gains for little cost. PLUS, the rail corridor is preserved for the future return to rail if it is ever needed again. It’s a no brainer.
Rail is great yes , we all know that but the governments are pouring our money into net zero. The states are basically bankrupt and have zero interest in sinking money into rail for no return on the dollar, we already have the inland rail link under construction and who knows what that will eventually cost. So preserve the corridor for rail, yes , but in the interim use it for other purposes. You will see small towns revived and jobs return.The Tweed Valley certainly has. Brisbane Valley has, South Burnett has,
David Mills your comment makes a lot of sense ……… interesting 🤔
Maybe once inland rail is, built north of North Star passenger train could be extended Moree to Brisbane.
Ian McPhee and who is going to finance that sort of loss making venture ?
Would be interested in the cost of repairs on the Tamworth to Tenterfield section, given its potential strategic value.
Chad Morrison the government recently rebuilt and reopened 5 kms of rail line in west Tamworth to service a rail head for the abattoirs and such. It cost around 30 Million to complete. The rail loading and shunting yard that was built at Westdale was financed by private industry.
A bike trail will have about as many users as a train at a fraction of the cost.
Alan Walker but they don’t pay to ride!
Jim Larsen They pay for meals and accommodation. The Great Victorian Rail Trail has attracted hospitality businesses that derive most of their income from bicycle tourism.
Restore at keast tourist trains at first to glenn innes thdn slowly to qld this line most important for a war as a third rail corridoor
And in 20yrs time…..we will still have an abandoned rail line and people passionately arguing on fakebook about it.
The rail isn’t council controlled it’s state
The government have said when time time arises train networks will eventuate in the bush just as they are having to do so with them in the cities. So while the transport sector is facing restructuring throwing millions at putting the cart before the horse in the meantime equates to the trail that horses leave.
And if they go ahead with the rail trail it will be no different.
UNE needs the north rail link. The 2026 collapse in OS students means that Qld recruitment is more important than ever. UNE has been in decline since it was cut off from Brisbane. When will the ADC realise that supporting UNE is helping itself? Its a symbiotic relationship, where 1+1=3. Duh.
David Buckley- great! Train goes to Wallangarra and then it is a bus….. Why not just have a regular, reliable coach service from Brisbane for rhe whole journey.
Quicker, cheaper and more flexible.
The bus to Armidale and back to Inverell, only runs on a Tuesday.
For those wanting to catch the train any other day who’re in Inverell. They have to catch the bus all the way out through Barraba to catch the train at Tamworth.
That’s 3h 36min daily both ways, compared to the 1h 59min, only on Tuesdays, from Inverell to Armidale, both ways. To either catch the train at the current end of the line, or to visit Armidale for whatever reason.
Because of this most people, myself included, have to try to structure their travel and any other commitments around that one service on a Tuesday, if we are wanting to travel to Inverell from Armidale via the bus.
I’m from Inverell but have been living in Armidale for the last 12ish years. As a disabled person, this is very inefficient. Both in how accessible the bus itself is, and in trying to work around other commitments to hopefully fit that service.
It often has meant that I have to arrange someone driving me to or from Inverell, instead of using the bus. Because its just not feasible with the current service.
I’m not the only one whose unhappy with how that service currently operates. There are many who would use it more if the service were restructured.
We’re not saying to get rid of the other daily service. We just would like, if not also daily, than every other day.
They say that there’s no use in doing so, because they’d lose money by having no passengers. Well, they currently, often don’t have passengers or many, because they can’t work with the Tuesday schedule or the other route. Thus they either arrange alternative travel as I have often had to do, or unfortunately, just cancel the trip all together; until they’re able to work it with a Tuesday.
In relation to the train, many of us would be overjoyed if it were to continue to Inverell again. Or if not that far, than to Glen Innes; making it only 49mins to Inverell, via car or bus. Plus, the train is, usually, vastly more accessible for people in general, not just for those of us who’re disabled.
I’m sure there would be plenty of people clamouring for that service. As besides making general travel better and easier. It would make travelling for health reasons, vastly more effective and efficient.
While we’re apart of the Hunter New England health district, which is vast. Its likely that most of us in the surrounding region are usually sent to Tamworth, sometimes further, to see health professionals, via the train line.
Broadening the services for such, one would hope, could only be of benefit to everyone, in making things run more effectively and efficiently!
I’ve always been a proponent of both avenues for utilising the historic railway infrastructure.
I’d be a definite user of the train, if it were to be reinstated, and would love the opportunity to explore along it in a more relaxed or athletic way, if it were easily accessible, as a rail trail.
I’d love if it were possible to structure it to have both a running rail line and a rail trail. But if for whatever reasons that would/ has not been possible, I’d prefer the rail line being reinstated. It bringing better access to health facilities. Is just something that really should be more focused on!
So why cant they run a mini bus as country link does that for some locations as a 24 seat bus.
This is pretty simple to understand.
The council wants to make use of abandoned infrastructure and do something go with it.
And the reason for this is they understand that trains are never coming back. The track requires too much work on a route designed for steam trains running a pathetically slow timetable even by 20th century standards. Rail transport cannot compete against road for cost, flexibility and speed.
If the land is given to property owners then the public will never have access and it will cost taxpayers even more to buy it back. The land owners stand to make a good capital gain at your expense if the land is sold or given to them and they are effectively using that public land rent free as it is. Nobody cares that they use it, but gatekeeping (the national sport) and obstructing access for imaginary trains or excessive numbers biosecurity shouldn’t be tolerated.
The right of way can be preserved and enjoyed if it is a bike/walking track. If in the future there is some miracle where there is a need for rail it can be reinstated with minimal cost to taxpayers.
The three current options for it are…
1> sell the land.
2> leave it idle to rot.
3> rail trail to make use of it and preserve some of it in the process.
Putting trains back on it is never going to happen unless a good economic case can be made for it.
I think a rail trail leaving rails and filling between them with gravel for a bike track is feasible. Using existing bridges etc if possible.
Making provision for tent camping along the route might encourage long distance hikers and riders.
A bike trail is a lot cheaper than a railway line
The NSW State Govt is responsible for the reinstating of the rail line from Armidale to Wallangarra! The sooner voters tell them the sooner it will be restored to operating condition. Tell your local member by phone or mail – TODAY!
Nobody is going to take the slightest notice of a few people with an incredibly inflated sense of entitlement demanding hundreds of millions of dollars be borrowed by the public to provide them with a train service.
Why would council have any interest in a railway ? Re the bike trail if they must have it build it alongside the railway as is commonly done in UK