The Great Northern Railway corridor in NSW, north of Armidale, has not seen a passenger train in 35 years and is now the subject of debate over whether to convert it into a rail trail for cyclists or preserve it for potential future train services. The state government passed legislation in 2022 to make it easier to close old lines and convert them into rail trails, with trails already opening in the Northern Rivers and Riverina areas of NSW. Proponents of the rail trails argue that they will draw high-spending cycling tourists and revitalize regional economies, while train enthusiasts believe the lines should be preserved for public transport options and freight movement.
More than 10,000 people signed a petition calling on the government to put trains back on the line running north of Armidale to the border, and on to Brisbane. Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison aims to revitalize transport in regional centers, but has not addressed the possibility of restoring the rail service north of Armidale. Train advocacy group Trains North believes that preserving the rail line for passenger, heritage, and freight services would help Armidale grow by better connecting it with Queensland, as opposed to solely focusing on a rail trail.
Armidale Regional Council recently voted to delay the rail trail project to address concerns about maintenance costs, as the responsibility would be transferred from the state-owned Transport Asset Holding Entity to the council once a lease for the rail corridor is signed. Despite concerns, the council has received support from local businesses offering to help cover maintenance costs for the first section of the trail. The council plans to raise $21 million through government grants to build the longer trail from Armidale to Ben Lomond, with expectations of attracting tourists and boosting the local economy.
The council is also exploring options to keep alive hopes for a future train service running to Queensland, including building the trail next to the track to Dumaresq or storing the track. Plans for the rail trail are underway, with the council working towards securing state government approval for the project and discussing ways to improve public transport options to better link Armidale with satellite towns and Brisbane. The rail trail is expected to open next year and attract both tourists and locals, boosting the regional economy by an estimated $6 million annually.
The decision on the future use of the Great Northern Railway corridor in NSW reflects the ongoing debate between utilizing old rail lines for recreational purposes like rail trails or preserving them for potential future train services. With various stakeholders expressing their views, the dilemma highlights the importance of balancing different interests and priorities in regional infrastructure development. As discussions continue and projects progress, the outcome will have implications for tourism, economic growth, public transport, and community connectivity in the region.
