The Northern Railway Defenders forum is continuing to lobby the New South Wales government and other stakeholders to retain non-operational rail lines for rail use.
The recently-passed Rail Trail Bill 2022 supports the conversion of non-operational regional rail corridors to rail trails (bike and walking tracks) or roads. The Government can lease non-operational regional rail corridors to local councils for up to 30 years to build a rail trail or a road provided that they meet certain criteria.
According to forum co-convenor Siri Gamage, the NSW moves are in stark contrast to those of the Victorian government, which has spent More than $4 billion for regional rail renewal.
“There are instances in Northern Rivers as well as New England where community groups are canvassing the return of train services for passenger, freight or tourism/heritage travel purposes,” he said.
“In 2021 a rail line in Northern Rivers was closed by NSW legislation to set up a rail trail.
“In New England, two local councils are sponsoring a rail trail plan to build one from Armidale to Glen Innes. For this they are planning to tear up the existing rail infrastructure.”
Gamage said regional rail infrastructure should be used as a catalyst for long term regional growth and prosperity.
“While we do not oppose the construction of rail trails where suitable (there are plenty of ways they can be built without destroying regional rail infrastructure), short term plans for attracting a narrow user group over the benefits that can be gained by renewal of train services with broader appeal by public-private partnership should not be sidelined or neglected,” he said.
“We are calling for support for our efforts to bring the trains back to regional NSW so that we can move into the 21st century proper in an environmentally responsible way.
“If introduced, it can remove many hundreds and thousands of trucks off the roads such as the New England highway.
“Furthermore, the NSW Government has invested in a renewable energy zone in New England. Energy produced here could be used to run trains in the future.”
