New England Rail Trail

The submission period is now closed.

Armidale Regional Council is undertaking consultation and preliminary investigations for the proposed New England Rail Trail between Armidale Train Station and Ben Lomond Train Station.

The purpose of this phase of the project is to meet the requirements of the NSW Rail Trails Framework, ensuring early and meaningful community engagement, transparent communication, and clearly documented feedback. Council will work with communities along the corridor to explain the proposal, outline potential impacts and benefits, and clarify how decisions will be made.

This engagement aims to identify and address issues raised by landholders, culture and heritage groups, transport advocates, local businesses, and the broader community, while building social licence through responsiveness, evidence‑based planning, and openness. The work will also support statutory processes, including environmental, heritage and cultural assessments, and corridor access requirements.

Community input during this stage will play an important role in shaping how the project progresses.

Background and important context

The New England Rail Trail is a long‑standing proposal to repurpose sections of the disused Great Northern Rail Line into a shared recreational walking and cycling trail. First conceived nearly two decades ago, the project seeks to support regional tourism, protect rail heritage, and create new opportunities for active transport and outdoor recreation.

The full proposed rail trail would extend approximately 103 kilometres between Armidale and Glen Innes. Armidale Regional Council is responsible for the 67‑kilometre section between Armidale and Ben Lomond, which is the focus of this engagement and investigation work.

The corridor remains in public ownership and offers a unique opportunity to create a safe, off‑road recreational route passing through high‑country landscapes, rural communities and historic townships, including significant rail heritage sites. Similar rail trails across Australia have demonstrated long‑term tourism, economic and community benefits.

Submissions

Submissions are invited and must be addressed to the General Manager, Armidale Regional Council, PO Box 75A, Armidale, NSW 2350, or sent by email to council@armidale.nsw.gov.au and marked 'Proposed New England Rail Trail'. If you do not include your residential address in your submission, your submission will be marked 'address unknown'.

Submissions must be received by Monday 1 June 2026.

Please be aware that if you make a submission, other people may have access to your comments. This may be as a result of a report to a Council meeting or as part of an application under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.

The submission period is now closed.

Armidale Regional Council is undertaking consultation and preliminary investigations for the proposed New England Rail Trail between Armidale Train Station and Ben Lomond Train Station.

The purpose of this phase of the project is to meet the requirements of the NSW Rail Trails Framework, ensuring early and meaningful community engagement, transparent communication, and clearly documented feedback. Council will work with communities along the corridor to explain the proposal, outline potential impacts and benefits, and clarify how decisions will be made.

This engagement aims to identify and address issues raised by landholders, culture and heritage groups, transport advocates, local businesses, and the broader community, while building social licence through responsiveness, evidence‑based planning, and openness. The work will also support statutory processes, including environmental, heritage and cultural assessments, and corridor access requirements.

Community input during this stage will play an important role in shaping how the project progresses.

Background and important context

The New England Rail Trail is a long‑standing proposal to repurpose sections of the disused Great Northern Rail Line into a shared recreational walking and cycling trail. First conceived nearly two decades ago, the project seeks to support regional tourism, protect rail heritage, and create new opportunities for active transport and outdoor recreation.

The full proposed rail trail would extend approximately 103 kilometres between Armidale and Glen Innes. Armidale Regional Council is responsible for the 67‑kilometre section between Armidale and Ben Lomond, which is the focus of this engagement and investigation work.

The corridor remains in public ownership and offers a unique opportunity to create a safe, off‑road recreational route passing through high‑country landscapes, rural communities and historic townships, including significant rail heritage sites. Similar rail trails across Australia have demonstrated long‑term tourism, economic and community benefits.

Submissions

Submissions are invited and must be addressed to the General Manager, Armidale Regional Council, PO Box 75A, Armidale, NSW 2350, or sent by email to council@armidale.nsw.gov.au and marked 'Proposed New England Rail Trail'. If you do not include your residential address in your submission, your submission will be marked 'address unknown'.

Submissions must be received by Monday 1 June 2026.

Please be aware that if you make a submission, other people may have access to your comments. This may be as a result of a report to a Council meeting or as part of an application under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.

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Public consultation to commence on rail trail framework

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Armidale Regional Council (ARC) is commencing public consultation from Monday 4 May 2026 as part of the preliminary works being undertaken on the New England Rail Trail Framework following its endorsement at the October 2025 council meeting.
The New England Rail Trail proposal aims to revitalise the disused Great Northern Rail corridor between Armidale and Glen Innes, transforming it into a safe, off‑road recreational route for walking, cycling, and outdoor activity. ARC is responsible for the 67 km section between Armidale and Ben Lomond.
The project is being progressed in line with the state government’s NSW Rail Trails Framework, which provides clear guidance on proposal development, environmental, cultural and heritage assessment, and long‑term operation and maintenance.
Addressing the framework will enable ARC to submit a formal project proposal to the NSW Government and strengthen future external funding applications. NSW Public Works Advisory is undertaking the preliminary studies on behalf of ARC.
Rail trails across Australia have shown strong tourism appeal and long‑term community benefit, and the NSW Government supports the development of rail trails where there is demonstrated community support, environmental considerations, and a viable business model.
Chief Officer Planning and Activation Daniel Boyce said preliminary study work is currently underway along the rail corridor as part of the Rail Trail Framework.
“Community input is essential and will directly shape the project,” Mr Boyce said.
“Letters have already been sent to landowners adjacent to the disused rail corridor to advise them of dedicated, landowner‑only drop‑in sessions. Community drop‑in sessions will also be held in Armidale and Guyra, including at the Armidale Farmers’ Market, Markets in the Mall and on Bradley Street in Guyra.
“We want to hear from as many community members as possible. If you’re unable to attend a session, submissions can be made via the Your Say Armidale website or by mail to Council.”
The corridor offers a rare opportunity to create a continuous, scenic experience through the New England high country, rural communities, and historic townships, including some of Australia’s most picturesque rail heritage points.
The Great Northern Rail Line, opened in 1888 and once extending to the Queensland border, has been disused for more than three decades. Previous studies and planning work have highlighted the corridor’s potential, and council is now undertaking the preliminary studies required under the NSW Rail Trails Framework.
Armidale Regional Council (ARC) is commencing public consultation from Monday 4 May 2026 as part of the preliminary works being undertaken on the New England Rail Trail Framework following its endorsement at the October 2025 council meeting.
The New England Rail Trail proposal aims to revitalise the disused Great Northern Rail corridor between Armidale and Glen Innes, transforming it into a safe, off‑road recreational route for walking, cycling, and outdoor activity. ARC is responsible for the 67 km section between Armidale and Ben Lomond.
The project is being progressed in line with the state government’s NSW Rail Trails Framework, which provides clear guidance on proposal development, environmental, cultural and heritage assessment, and long‑term operation and maintenance.
Addressing the framework will enable ARC to submit a formal project proposal to the NSW Government and strengthen future external funding applications. NSW Public Works Advisory is undertaking the preliminary studies on behalf of ARC.
Rail trails across Australia have shown strong tourism appeal and long‑term community benefit, and the NSW Government supports the development of rail trails where there is demonstrated community support, environmental considerations, and a viable business model.
Chief Officer Planning and Activation Daniel Boyce said preliminary study work is currently underway along the rail corridor as part of the Rail Trail Framework.
“Community input is essential and will directly shape the project,” Mr Boyce said.
“Letters have already been sent to landowners adjacent to the disused rail corridor to advise them of dedicated, landowner‑only drop‑in sessions. Community drop‑in sessions will also be held in Armidale and Guyra, including at the Armidale Farmers’ Market, Markets in the Mall and on Bradley Street in Guyra.
“We want to hear from as many community members as possible. If you’re unable to attend a session, submissions can be made via the Your Say Armidale website or by mail to Council.”
The corridor offers a rare opportunity to create a continuous, scenic experience through the New England high country, rural communities, and historic townships, including some of Australia’s most picturesque rail heritage points.
The Great Northern Rail Line, opened in 1888 and once extending to the Queensland border, has been disused for more than three decades. Previous studies and planning work have highlighted the corridor’s potential, and council is now undertaking the preliminary studies required under the NSW Rail Trails Framework.

Page last updated: 02 Jun 2026, 09:02 AM