New group established to fight for trains

Ulmarra as it has been done up beautifully,” she said.

“Then we are just down the road, so people can come for high tea afterwards.”

High Tea in the Garden is at 11 Coulters Lane, Ulmarra and the cost is $20 per person.

“There is no need to book, unless it is a large group,” said Wendy.

“Just so I can have the table set up for the numbers.”

Bookings can be made to Wendy on 0432 741 947.

By Samantha Elley

Tenterfield residents want their trains back and they are prepared to fight for them.

This was the consensus at a meeting held on Thursday, September 21 at the George Inn dining room of the Royal Hotel at morning tea.

Convenor Allen Crosthwaite said the purpose of the meeting was to identify train supporters and form a local Trains North group to carry forward the campaign, share information and educate the community and media.

“There are many myths circulating in the community about the costs of restoring the rail line, government attitude and the role of councils,” said Mr Crosthwaite.

“For regional growth we all need to work together to achieve transport justice.”

The need for trains, according to the group, is due to the lack of direct public transport between Armidale and Wallangarra.

“Since the pandemic, (the) only coach service between Sydney and Brisbane ceased operations,” said Mr Crosthwaite.

“As a result, residents in towns and villages are facing numerous challenges when travelling to Queensland for medical and other needs.”

The meeting was attended by about 20 people, including

Tenterfield councillors Peter Murphy and Greg Sauer.

Mr Sauer said he and most of the councillors supported a train line and believed it would benefit business and tourism.

Discussions on the cost of the reinstatement of a train line were heard and it was agreed a request be made to the government to fund a cost-benefit study. Towns that would benefit from the reinstatement of this train line include Armidale, Guyra, Deepwater, Glen Innes, Tenterfield and Wallangara.

Mr Crosthwaite said Trains North Inc. had a petition of 10k+ signatures to deliver to the Legislative Assembly.