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Question and Answer Tracking Details

3020 - Regional Transport and Roads - FUTURE USE OF THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY LINE

MacDonald, Aileen to the Special Minister of State, Minister for Roads, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, and Minister for Jobs and Tourism representing the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads
FUTURE USE OF THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY LINE

(1) Can you clarify the Government's position on the future of the Great Northern Railway line beyond Armidale?

(2) Does the Government have any current plans, funding allocations, or strategic priorities to restore train services on the Great Northern Railway Line north of Armidale?

(3) If no plans exist to return rail services, will the Government issue a public statement to confirm this, providing clear and definitive guidance to regional communities about the future use of the rail corridor?

(4) Are you aware that this issue has caused significant division within local communities due to conflicting messages and unsubstantiated claims from some advocacy groups suggesting a return of rail services?

(5) Will you make a public and unequivocal statement to help provide clarity to the community?

(6) Will you make a public and unequivocal statement to help alleviate unnecessary division and misinformation?

(7) Will you make a public and unequivocal statement to help support alternative uses of the rail corridor, such as the proposed New England Rail Trail, which has the potential to bring economic, social and heritage benefits to the region?

(8) Do you understand the importance of making the Government's position clear given concerns about local misinformation and its impact on community unity?
Answer -

I am advised

Transport for NSW is not currently undertaking a feasibility study into reopening the rail line from Armidale to the Queensland border and does not have any current plans, funding allocations, nor strategic priorities to restore train services on the Great Northern Railway Line north of Armidale.

The government has committed to delivering Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plans. These plans will reflect the needs of regional communities and will include detailed evaluations of the community's transport needs now and into the future. They will include actions and initiatives that are costed to enable funding decisions to be made based on priorities.

Question asked on 27 November 2024 (session 58-1) and published in Questions & Answers Paper No. 390
Answer received on 18 December 2024 and published in Questions & Answers Paper No. 405

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