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Register for news updatesResounding “Yes” in New England
A recent public consultation process conducted by Armidale Regional Council has resulted in 85% of formal submissions supporting the New England Rail Trail (NERT). The Council released the results after its meeting on 29 June. The outcome of the consultation means that 4.25 people out of every 5 want to see the New England Rail Trail proceed, a very positive result for the Friends of NERT advocacy group and NSW rail trail supporters generally.
The proposed New England Rail Trail will be built on the disused NSW rail corridor stretching from Armidale through to Guyra and Glen Innes, taking in the station of Ben Lomond which was once the highest-elevation station in NSW at 1363m above sea level. In November 2025 Armidale Regional Council voted in favour 6 votes to 2 to proceed with completing the required steps to seek NSW Government approval to construct the New England Rail Trail between Armidale and Wallangarra.
Rail Trails Australia acknowledges and supports the hard work done by the Friends of NERT group over recent years to keep this important community asset project alive in the face of unrealistic expectations of local opposition. The rail corridor north of Armidale has been disused since 1988.
Next steps for NERT: Further preliminary works will be carried out while initial approvals from the NSW Government are being sought. These works are the topographic and cadastral surveys along with the concept design. Armidale Regional Council endorsement will be sought for a lease on the rail corridor at its August 2026 meeting.
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One comment on “Resounding “Yes” in New England”
Excellent news! Well done to the Friends of NERT and other supporters. Now, much like the line heading north from Armidale, 'onwards and upwards'.