Here is how the Draft SRITP fails the residents of New England and the North West of NSW
1. The Draft Plan Acknowledges Problems — But Avoids Real Solutions
The Draft SRITP repeatedly recognises:
- poor public transport
- transport disadvantage
- isolation of regional communities
- heavy dependence on cars
- poor cross-border connectivity
- demand for passenger rail north of Armidale
- freight pressure on roads
- need for lower emissions
Yet their proposed solutions are mostly:
- more buses,
- cycling infrastructure,
- walking+cycling+riding trails.
- upgrades to A15 New England Highway and other main roads in New England and North West,
- There is no serious commitment to restoring regional rail connectivity north of Armidale.
2. The Draft Ignores Community Calls for Rail Reinstatement
3. Contradiction: “Integrated Transport” Without Rail
4. Over-Reliance on Private Vehicles is Identified — But Not Addressed
5. Bus Services Alone Cannot Meet Regional Transport Needs.
6. Rail Trail Support is Premature and Biased.
7. Inland Rail Assumptions Are Now Outdated
Large parts of the draft rely on Inland Rail providing North-South connectivity to QLD via Parkes to Toowoomba.
However the Federal Government decision to terminate Inland Rail at Parkes changes the strategic context significantly. Claims about freight transformation and QLD connectivity now require reassessment as the aft SRITP still refers to Moree/Narrabri-focused intermodal expansion despite the Federal Government declaring absolutely that Inland Rail will not continue north of Parkes!
The Draft SRITP should now examine:
- alternative freight strategies,
- restoration of Main North corridor options,
- future Armidale–Glen Innes–Tenterfield freight opportunities,
- cross-border rail connectivity.
The Draft SRITP requires major editing before finalisation!
8. The Draft Fails Cross-Border Communities
- no rail solution is proposed
- no serious cross-border passenger rail strategy exists
- no future corridor protection strategy is outlined
9. Freight Strategy is Contradictory
- no freight rail expansion north of Armidale is proposed
- no long-term Main North preservation strategy exists
- rail corridor reuse for trails is discussed before future freight needs are assessed
10. This contradicts the Draft SRITP’s own freight objectives
- why does the draft not seriously examine expansion of freight rail capacity?
- restoration of the GNR, also known as Main North line,
- or future rail freight services north of Armidale, ultrimately as far as Toowoomba on the Darling Downs of QLD.
- the Plan acknowledges rail is critical for freight,
- but, simultaneously discusses converting strategic rail corridors into recreation trails!!!
- climate and Net Zero Goals are not credible without a GNR Freight Artery right through New England – south to north.
Key Requests to Transport for NSW
Serious supporters of freight and passenger rail services on the dormant GNR line could make the following points or suggestions to TfNSW:
- Remove or revise statements supporting rail trail conversion until formal NSW Government decisions are made.
- Undertake a feasibility study into reinstating rail north of Armidale.
- Preserve the Main North rail corridor for future freight and passenger use.
- Include cross-border rail options to Queensland in long-term planning.
- Reassess the Plan following Federal Inland Rail changes.
- Develop a genuine multi-modal integrated transport strategy.
- Improve rail services between Armidale and Sydney.
- Investigate future intermodal opportunities in Armidale, Glen Innes and Tenterfield.
- Include staged rail restoration options in the final Plan.
- Align regional transport planning with emissions reduction objectives.
How to Send your Views about the Draft Plan to the Planning Team in TfNSW?
The planning team in TfNSW has designed a quick survey to easily provide your feedback also. Focused on the Key Directions in their Draft Plan, then you can easily navigate your way through to provide feedback on what matters most to you.
Alternatively, you can upload a submission or send your feedback by emailing engage.sritps@transport.nsw.gov.au
If you want to UPLOAD the submission first write it preferably in a word document. Then upload.
The link to the website is: https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/new-england-and-north-west
The consultation period closes on Sunday 14-jun-2026
Siri Gamage
Armidale Railways Advocate
19-may-2026
Siri has been campaigning with local residents from Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Guyra, Armidale and Uralla for 15+ years advocating for better public transport and quality of life improvements in the New England region. He is a resident of Armidale, had a long career as an academic, and finishing up at University of New England.