I wanted to make a submission as part of the consultation on the Armidale Rail Trail. I went to the website, read the instructions, and froze.
Comments can’t be anonymous. Must provide name and address. Create an account. Be identifiable.
Normally that would be fine, I don’t have a problem putting my name to my thoughts ordinarily. But any time you say anything against the bloody rail trail the abuse is so intense. These one-eyed privileged fools are so good at silencing anyone that doesn’t agree with them, it’s genuinely scary.
And no, I’m not in the camp that think the train is coming back. But I wanted to comment that I don’t support the rail trail, I don’t want our council to be wasting money on this silly project – if some private developer wants to do it, go for it, but this is not what we pay rates for.
For the first time in my life, I’ve had to ask for a payment plan for my rates. I make good money, but the rates are so crazy high now that it’s just too much. No amount of people on bikes having a good time while I work my tail off is going to have any impact on my ability to pay my bills, it’s just going to make other people wealthy. This is not fair, it is not ok, and I wanted to say that formally… on the record, as part of the consultation.
But I’m terrified if I do so there will be retribution. Friends who support the project won’t talk to me anymore. It may even affect my ability to do my job, as a person in our management team is a very big fan of this thing.
So I will yell my objections into the ether, and hope that others braver than me will make these points for me through the formal channels. And that somehow, somewhere, something will finally get through to the thick heads at Armidale Regional Council and they will realise how much pain they cause the community.
Author identified by New England Times Engage and published anonymously at the writer’s request. See our guidelines for more information on publishing anonymously.
Got something on your mind? Go on then, engage. Submit your opinion piece, letter to the editor, or Quick Word now.
It is possible to ride toms gully road which runs beside the railline for most of the way when you leave black mtn and head towards armidale is nothing more then a dirt road going past some farms and even in a family size car this road is not designed for 100km/hr driving.
If they are that desperate for a way to ride council could easy find a small amount of money for some road signs to be attached to street signs and at dumaresq station the only way to currently visit the station is to jump over fences due to live stock that have used the area for grazzing the grass.
Also how can council honestly stop trail bikes from riding on the trail as they will always find a way onto it and you only have to look at that adamstown to belmont railtrail.
The forcast numbers will never stay at the levels they claim as numbers will drop as people from out of area may only come once then may not ride the route again.
Just like in the northern rivers area yes there is the trail did i ride no i didnt as i dont own a bike and i had no interest in riding that track so the idea of people coming to the area just to ride the trail is a false statement.