Up to $50 million is available through the Fund for the development of pilot rail trails projects on the Casino-Murwillumbah and Rosewood-Tumbarumba rail lines.

Mr Goldstein said that the only two regions eligible to apply for the funds centre on Ballina and Lismore, both in Nationals held seats facing strong challenges from Greens and other parties in the NSW election.

“Less than three months before an election, the Minister has suddenly decided to shovel tens of millions in public funds towards two vulnerable Nationals seats, from what is supposed to be a statewide infrastructure fund shared by all the regions,” said Mr Goldstein.

Mr Goldstein pointed to widespread community interest in renewed uses for the Armidale Wallangarra line ranging from heritage and tourist rail to recreational trails for hikers, cyclists and horse riders.

Local tourism organisations also believe renewed line would create sustainable business opportunities for Armidale, Guyra, Ben Lomond, Glencoe, Glen Innes, Deepwater and Tenterfield.

“But this Nationals Minister in the Baird government has denied Northern Tablelands residents a chance to even submit an Expression of Interest for future uses of our long-neglected railway assets.

Regarding the future of the Great Northern Line, Greens are committed to a community-focused, case-by-case approach where plans and proposals can be assessed in a transparent fashion.

“Greens will not pre-determine the outcome of funding applications and we will establish fair and open processes so that people can clearly see and understand the basis of government decisions,” said Mr Goldstein. “Greens will create clean politics to replace the Nationals porkbarrelling in the regions.”

“All we are asking is that Northern Tablelands residents be afforded the same chance as those in Ballina and Lismore to apply for the revival of our railway corridor.”

NERT president David Mills denied the government’s funding announcement amounted to a set-back for the group.

“Certainly (those other two proposals) were one step ahead of us in planning,” Mr Mills said.

“They’d already carried out feasibility studies and developed detailed costings.

“It won’t stop us from putting in a submission when the time is right.”

He said NERT was confident New England was the site of “one of the pre-eminent potential rail trails in the state”, due to its climate, the short distance between towns and the well-preserved rail stations.

The group is currently trying to source funding for a feasibility study.

Mr Mills said despite the establishment of a rail trail protest group, there was widespread public support for the proposal.