A preliminary proposal, which was delivered to NSW Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian in August last year, outlines the plan by New England Rail Trail Inc. to transform the disused rail corridor into a recreational trail which would be used by cyclists, walkers and horseriders.

Details of the proposal are now available to the wider community in an effort to promote further discussion and dispel myths associated with the project. 

The following is a brief outline of the proposal: 

• The proposed New England Rail Trail (NERT) is a combined two way cycle, walking and potentially horse riding trail, initially between Black Mountain and Ben Lomond with possible future extensions to Wallangarra and Armidale. The initial section, which is 34km long, is being promoted as ideal for a pilot project, because it is totally within the Guyra Shire and is ‘matched to the capacity of the Guyra community to develop and manage it’.

• Background – provides details of the history and current uses of the line. Information about the historical significance of the Great Northern Railway  will be incorporated into the project. Current uses of the line and associated buildings are also detailed as having potential for future use. The objectives and goals of NERT Inc. are stated, including to drive regional growth, keep people healthy, protect the environment, increase opportunities for community engagement and involvement and enhance recreational, cultural, sporting and creative opportunities.

• Benefits – Community health and wellbeing, economic, tourism attractions and events, the environment and culture and heritage are all highlighted in this section. The provision of a rail trail would provide a safe and reliable place for residents and visitors to engage in activities. There is potential for existing businesses to benefit from an increase in visitor numbers and also increased opportunities for the establishment of new businesses and services. The proposal details the potential to significantly enhance tourism and promote attractions and events.

• Issues – Safety, public liability and the necessity to consider existing users have been identified. Lease holders are seen as important partners, as is the Guyra & District Machinery group who operate rides along the Guyra section of the track. It is proposed that coexistence agreements be made with existing users to ensure all needs are met and that the trail is maintained appropriately.

• Viability – a full feasibility study would be undertaken should the proposal be considered to analyse the cost benefit relationship of the removal of the line, identify areas of the existing line that should be retained and investigate sources of income and projected expenditure for the project. Initial costings indicated a cost of $34,937.50 km for the establishment of the trail. (NB: the figures are for trail development only with fencing still under consideration.) Ongoing maintenance was considered with ideas to generate income through signage, sponsorship, donations and in kind contributions.

• Sustainability – Areas identified include seeking outside assistance from existing landcare groups with administration, facilitation for action planning and review, developing local partnerships, weed and pest animal control and environmental issues

The full version of the NERT Proposal  is available by clicking on the link below. Attachments to the proposal are not included, due to size considerations. 

The attachments outline support by way of letters  from groups within the community. and includes details of an online petition with signatures and comments,   Facebook  statistics  and also  letters submitted to the Guyra Argus (both for and against the proposal) which were received in May to July of 2014 when the issue was at the forefront of media attention. Much of this information is already available online.