A highly promising rail trail project in New South Wales has hit a stumbling block and is in need of community support to ensure it moves into the construction phase.
The New England Rail trail will span 103km along the Great Northern Rail Line Corridor, which winds through the New England Ranges in northern New South Wales.
The Armidale Regional Council, will oversee construction of the first section of the rail trail between Armidale Railway Station and Dumaresq Railway Station, secured $5.41 million through the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery fund.
A report tabled at a council meeting on 24 April recommended that council move ahead with the works and commit to delivering the remainder of the New England Rail Trail through its territory.
The motion was voted down 6-5, however, in favour of an amended motion to delay commencement of construction “until a comprehensive report is brought to council on the total costs to council for the running and maintenance of both the Armidale Railway Station to Dumaresq Trailhead section and the full New England Rail Trail project”.
The New England Rail Trail has made it to this critical juncture through years of work from local advocacy groups.
The completed trail is projected to attract 15,000 day visits and 14,000 overnight stays to the region each year, generating around $5.8 million for the local economy.
Local supporters have organised a petition calling on Armidale Regional Council to press on with construction using the money it was awarded for the project.
