1. For the Region
Corridor protection enables councils, businesses and other stakeholders to better plan development.
Does a rail trail protect the corridor? No! IT DOES NOT PROTECT it, it completely changes everything around planning and development. It makes it almost impossible for trains to return in the future.
Maybe we won’t be riding trains out of Tenterfield next week or next year, maybe even five years from now, even though we should be, however we must protect our corridor for the future and future generations because they most definitely will need it in our forever changing fast growing world, however just like fashion returns, so will the trains to carry the future freight and population needs. Trains are trending. We are not just protecting our corridor we are protecting our children’s and grandchildren’s future and needs. If the corridor is not protected, they will pay the price in the future. We must protect the GNR at all costs.
2. For the Towns in New England
Towns will be reinvigorated by the reopening of the rail network as it will connect the communities to the rest of Australia by opening up travel options and facilitating freight movement. Housing options will be enhanced, and businesses will be able to expand their activities. Towns will be able to increase populations and wealth. Collectively the expansion of towns will drive the growth of the regions.
3. For the state of NSW
The collective energy from regional cities, towns and small communities delivered by the passenger and freight links provided by a sound rail network will deliver to NSW the wealth and new productivity to the NSW economy and profile.
The reopening of the States unused rail lines and the development of some new lines is an essential strategy the must be undertaken without delay
Regional Rail upgrading must be place on a similar footing as Metros and HSR are for Greater Sydney.
4. For South East Queensland
SEQ has chosen to boost its railways with several new projects and upgrades. One major driver to this strategy is the forthcoming 2032 Olympic games hosting. Secondly SEQ can see the benefits of tapping into the resources and dynamics of Northern NSW.
5. For Australia
A country is only as strong as its weakest link or in this case train line. By restablishing the rail line through some of the most productive agricultural land in Australia and the adjoining very strong regions Australia has to benefit from freight and passenger movements.
This activity will have huge financial gains that will flow through from the towns and regions to the State and Australia.
Rick Banyard
Project Director
New England Transport Plan
1-may-2025
