The NSW government has withdrawn $8.7 million in funding for the New England Rail Trail, earmarked from the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund to build the 35.5km section of the New England rail trail between Glen Innes and Ben Lomond, the Glenn Innes Severn Council has announced.
The funding withdrawal announcement by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) cited missing project deadlines.
The council had committed $170,000 to commence survey works required under the NSW Rail Trails Framework.
Mayor Margot Davis expressed profound disappointment saying: “This project was the single most significant economic opportunity our community has ever seen.
“To have this funding stripped is not just a heartless decision – it’s an act of indifference to rural communities that have endured natural disaster after natural disaster. It disregards the resilience and effort our region has shown in trying to rebuild.”
The disused railway line had not seen a train in 31 years and, after work from local advocacy groups, Glen Innes Severn and Armidale Regional councils accepted responsibility for revitalising the corridor.
Once completed, the 103km path was expected to attract 15,000 new day visits and 14,000 new overnight stays to the region annually, as well as being used by around 37,000 local residents. It was expected to generate an estimated $5.8 million of additional visitor spending to the region each year.
The council has formally appealed to Jenny McAllister, Minister for Emergency Management, and Tara Moriarty, Minister for Regional NSW, calling for a fair review of the decision and the reinstatement of funding.
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