Obviously having the GNR re-activated to join the New England to Brisbane, SE QLD, Darling Downs, Hunter region and greater Sydney will create great potential for tourism within and through New England. The amount of tourism that can be attracted is limited only by how quickly re-activating the GNR line occurs. The 2032 Olympic Games being staged in Brisbane and regional parts of QLD.

The planned increase in population in SE QLD in the next decades is huge. So the potential wealth brought to New England by the GNR Line is second only to the even bigger value of freight taht can be moved north and south on t he same rail line.

This is why the NEN team have adopted the concept of investing in the good health of “The GNR Artery”!

With some futuristic vision and planning many roadways could include bike tracks and shared pathways to take tourists to gorges, vistas, historic farms, buildings and heritage mining infrastructure. Unfortunately the future vision and planning seems to be seriously lacking for the New England right now, despite considerable funding being available for active transport, tourism and road maintenance and new works.

A positive excmaple f how investing in transport infrastructure is the 665 metre long Sea Cliff Bridge, just south of Sydney at Stanwell Park. Hotels, restaurants, cafes and accommadtion providers are still amazed how many people are attracted to the Illiwarra for the first time but this unusual piece of engineering.

Basic and often simple roadways can be very easily modified to accommodate real tourist and health assets to the natural environment and attractions that the New England region.

$4.25 million has been awarded to Armidale Regional Council to improve safety on Rockvale Road north of town. Safety improvements include road realignment and installation of roadside safety barrier on Rockvale Road at Aberfoyle.

Obviously having the GNR re-activated to join the New England to Brisbane, SE QLD, Darling Downs, Hunter region and greater Sydney. Consider the tourism potential of having the GNR line fully functional for the 2032 Olympics being staged in Brisbane and many regional parts of QLD.

Rick Banyard
Project Director
New England Network
29-mar-2025