Many rate payers and residents are now wondering about the need for not only the council plan for this expensive exercise but also about the process? For example,some tends to think NSW public works conducting community consultations is an independent body.
If it is to be given the project manager role as in other cases where councils engaged it as consultants as well as project manager, how can it be an independent body? But the main issue is we need to know how much of the $2,600,000 that the ARC has allocated for rail trail preliminary works including community consultations is paid to Public Works advisory? As rate payers we ought to know.
ARC is preparing a new application to be submitted to nsw govt after it lost $5.4 million grant in 2024. Since then it has failed to secure any othere govt grant for this project.
How many millions of rate payers money are to be allocated to this fail trail project when over 5000 have signed my online petition opposing this recreational project that will destroy our rail line to Ben Lomond and to Glen Innes.
I am glad to see the opposition to ARC plan for the NERT trail is growing. If you meet council and NSW Public Works staff at market or write a submission ask the NSW Public Works staff why is it that the ARC does not investigate other options to build NERT’s cycling+walking trail?
Siri Gamage
Alliance for Regional Transport Justice – NSW
30-may-2026