Railway Line North of Armidale under threat from two Councils in New England
The issue
SAVE OUR RAILWAY
Protect the Main North Railway from Armidale to Queensland
Don't let our railway be ripped up for a rail trail
Please sign and share this petition
The Main North Railway between Armidale and the Queensland border is one of New England's most valuable public assets.
Armidale Regional Council and Glen Innes Severn Council are seeking approval to convert much of this railway corridor into a recreational rail trail. While walking and cycling trails are valuable community facilities, they should not be created by removing an existing railway that future generations may desperately need.
Once railway infrastructure is removed, restoring it becomes extremely difficult and enormously expensive.
This is a decision that will affect our region for decades.
Why this railway matters?
Railways are not simply pieces of steel.
They are strategic public infrastructure that support:
passenger transport
freight movement
regional development
tourism
emergency resilience
defence logistics
future economic growth.
Every developed nation is investing more in rail.
New England should not be moving backwards.
New England needs better—not fewer—transport options
Residents of New England increasingly rely on Queensland.
Thousands travel north for:
specialist medical treatment
employment
education
business
shopping
visiting family.
Unfortunately our transport options continue to decline.
The Sydney-Brisbane coach service through New England ceased during the COVID pandemic. Though a pilot service has started by Greyhound coaches between Tamworth and Toowoomba we do not know how costly it is or how long it will last? Coach service is very different from a train service in terms of comfort, fares, facilities and safety.
Airfares from Armidale are often expensive. A return airfare from Armidale to Sydney or Brisbane can cost over $500.
There is no passenger train north of Armidale.
Removing the railway would further isolate our region from South East Queensland, Australia's fastest-growing region with more than four million people.
A changing national transport picture
Recent national transport decisions make preserving this railway more important than ever.
The Australian Government has decided not to extend Inland Rail beyond Parkes.
This means Australia may increasingly need additional north-south freight capacity in the future.
The Main North Railway already exists.
Rather than removing it, governments should investigate how it can contribute to future passenger and freight services.
Regional growth depends on transport
New England has enormous economic potential.
Agriculture.
Renewable energy.
Tourism.
Manufacturing.
Education.
New industries.
Every one of these sectors benefits from efficient rail transport.
Businesses require affordable freight options.
Young people need better transport choices.
Older residents deserve reliable public transport.
Future generations deserve infrastructure that expands opportunities—not removes them.
We support cycling—but not at the expense of rail
This is not a campaign against cycling.
We support walking and cycling infrastructure in both LG areas..
However, bike trails can be built in many locations.
They can be constructed:
beside the railway corridor
elsewhere within the local government areas
along existing road reserves
as separate recreational trails.
Removing an irreplaceable railway should never be the first option.
There is a better solution
Many communities have successfully developed Rail Plus Trail projects.
These preserve the railway while providing excellent walking and cycling facilities.
Examples include:
Parramatta–Carlingford
Oberon–Tarana
Rather than forcing communities to choose between trains and trails, councils should investigate solutions that deliver both.
Community concerns
Many residents have raised concerns about the current proposal.
These include:
insufficient investigation of Rail Plus Trail alternatives
lack of an independent cost-benefit analysis
significant expenditure of ratepayer funds before construction funding has been secured
concerns about the interpretation of community consultation results
the absence of a genuine roundtable involving all stakeholders interested in the future of the rail corridor.
A project of this significance deserves an open, transparent and collaborative planning process.
Our councils should be leading—not limiting—our future
Local councils should be advocating for:
restoration of rail services
better regional transport
stronger freight links
improved connections with Queensland
long-term infrastructure investment.
Instead, they are pursuing a proposal based on the assumption that trains will never return north of Armidale.
That assumption should not determine the future of New England.
What we ask?
We respectfully call on the NSW Government, Armidale Regional Council and Glen Innes Severn Council to:
Protect the Main North Railway corridor.
Reject any proposal requiring removal of railway infrastructure.
Suspend further rail trail approvals until all transport options have been independently assessed.
Commission an independent cost-benefit analysis comparing rail, rail trail and Rail Plus Trail options.
Investigate restoration of passenger and freight rail services north of Armidale.
Support proposals by New England Railway Inc. and the Northern Regional Railway Company to recommence rail operations between Armidale and Llangothlin as an initial stage.
Work with all stakeholders through an independent regional roundtable to develop a shared long-term vision for transport in New England.
Our message
This campaign is about far more than a railway.
It is about the future of New England.
It is about giving future generations choices rather than removing them.
It is about protecting strategic public infrastructure while still supporting recreational opportunities.
We believe New England can have both trains and trails.
But once the railway is removed, it may never return.
Please sign this petition and share it with your family, friends and colleagues.
Together we can protect one of New England's most important public assets for future generations.
5,505
The issue
SAVE OUR RAILWAY
Protect the Main North Railway from Armidale to Queensland
Don't let our railway be ripped up for a rail trail
Please sign and share this petition
The Main North Railway between Armidale and the Queensland border is one of New England's most valuable public assets.
Armidale Regional Council and Glen Innes Severn Council are seeking approval to convert much of this railway corridor into a recreational rail trail. While walking and cycling trails are valuable community facilities, they should not be created by removing an existing railway that future generations may desperately need.
Once railway infrastructure is removed, restoring it becomes extremely difficult and enormously expensive.
This is a decision that will affect our region for decades.
Why this railway matters?
Railways are not simply pieces of steel.
They are strategic public infrastructure that support:
passenger transport
freight movement
regional development
tourism
emergency resilience
defence logistics
future economic growth.
Every developed nation is investing more in rail.
New England should not be moving backwards.
New England needs better—not fewer—transport options
Residents of New England increasingly rely on Queensland.
Thousands travel north for:
specialist medical treatment
employment
education
business
shopping
visiting family.
Unfortunately our transport options continue to decline.
The Sydney-Brisbane coach service through New England ceased during the COVID pandemic. Though a pilot service has started by Greyhound coaches between Tamworth and Toowoomba we do not know how costly it is or how long it will last? Coach service is very different from a train service in terms of comfort, fares, facilities and safety.
Airfares from Armidale are often expensive. A return airfare from Armidale to Sydney or Brisbane can cost over $500.
There is no passenger train north of Armidale.
Removing the railway would further isolate our region from South East Queensland, Australia's fastest-growing region with more than four million people.
A changing national transport picture
Recent national transport decisions make preserving this railway more important than ever.
The Australian Government has decided not to extend Inland Rail beyond Parkes.
This means Australia may increasingly need additional north-south freight capacity in the future.
The Main North Railway already exists.
Rather than removing it, governments should investigate how it can contribute to future passenger and freight services.
Regional growth depends on transport
New England has enormous economic potential.
Agriculture.
Renewable energy.
Tourism.
Manufacturing.
Education.
New industries.
Every one of these sectors benefits from efficient rail transport.
Businesses require affordable freight options.
Young people need better transport choices.
Older residents deserve reliable public transport.
Future generations deserve infrastructure that expands opportunities—not removes them.
We support cycling—but not at the expense of rail
This is not a campaign against cycling.
We support walking and cycling infrastructure in both LG areas..
However, bike trails can be built in many locations.
They can be constructed:
beside the railway corridor
elsewhere within the local government areas
along existing road reserves
as separate recreational trails.
Removing an irreplaceable railway should never be the first option.
There is a better solution
Many communities have successfully developed Rail Plus Trail projects.
These preserve the railway while providing excellent walking and cycling facilities.
Examples include:
Parramatta–Carlingford
Oberon–Tarana
Rather than forcing communities to choose between trains and trails, councils should investigate solutions that deliver both.
Community concerns
Many residents have raised concerns about the current proposal.
These include:
insufficient investigation of Rail Plus Trail alternatives
lack of an independent cost-benefit analysis
significant expenditure of ratepayer funds before construction funding has been secured
concerns about the interpretation of community consultation results
the absence of a genuine roundtable involving all stakeholders interested in the future of the rail corridor.
A project of this significance deserves an open, transparent and collaborative planning process.
Our councils should be leading—not limiting—our future
Local councils should be advocating for:
restoration of rail services
better regional transport
stronger freight links
improved connections with Queensland
long-term infrastructure investment.
Instead, they are pursuing a proposal based on the assumption that trains will never return north of Armidale.
That assumption should not determine the future of New England.
What we ask?
We respectfully call on the NSW Government, Armidale Regional Council and Glen Innes Severn Council to:
Protect the Main North Railway corridor.
Reject any proposal requiring removal of railway infrastructure.
Suspend further rail trail approvals until all transport options have been independently assessed.
Commission an independent cost-benefit analysis comparing rail, rail trail and Rail Plus Trail options.
Investigate restoration of passenger and freight rail services north of Armidale.
Support proposals by New England Railway Inc. and the Northern Regional Railway Company to recommence rail operations between Armidale and Llangothlin as an initial stage.
Work with all stakeholders through an independent regional roundtable to develop a shared long-term vision for transport in New England.
Our message
This campaign is about far more than a railway.
It is about the future of New England.
It is about giving future generations choices rather than removing them.
It is about protecting strategic public infrastructure while still supporting recreational opportunities.
We believe New England can have both trains and trails.
But once the railway is removed, it may never return.
Please sign this petition and share it with your family, friends and colleagues.
Together we can protect one of New England's most important public assets for future generations.
The Decision Makers
Supporter voices
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Petition created on 1 August 2021