The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD (21:37): I highlight the Minns and Albanese Labor governments' deplorable decision to rip more than $14 million of funding, committed by the previous Coalition governments, from the New England community. I am speaking about the decision to withdraw funding from the New England Rail Trail. In November 2024, an $8.7 million grant funded by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the New South Wales Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund was withdrawn from Glen Innes Severn Council by the Albanese and Minns Labor governments. At the same time, a $5.4 million grant to Armidale Regional Council from the National Emergency Management Agency was also withdrawn.

The rail trail funding was to cover two sections of the rail trail. One was to span 35.5 kilometres between Glen Innes and Ben Lomond, which promised to generate substantial economic benefits for the region, including the creation of 26 full-time jobs and an annual injection of $5.8 million into the local economy. The other section was in the Armidale Regional Council local government area. The plan was to eventually join the two sections. In my view, the rail trail would not only revitalise an underutilised public asset but also provide enduring opportunities for tourism, local business development and community engagement.

The decision by the Minns and Albanese governments to withdraw funding penalises a community that has already endured significant hardship from droughts, bushfires and floods. It also undermines the Government's objectives of economic recovery and resilience in regional areas. The withdrawal of funding for the New England Rail Trail by the Federal and State Labor governments has let our communities down. Both governments reversed commitments made by the previous Coalition governments to activate the closed railway line north of Armidale. Their justification is one of political convenience. Like other decisions made in the city and enforced on country areas, it ignores or chooses not to consider what is happening locally.

There is no denying that governments are emboldened to renege on funding promises; however, the decision means that our region misses out on significant investment, job creation and the chance to activate a dormant public asset. The nostalgic dream of returning rail north of Armidale persists in some quarters. However, the economic realities and logistical challenges make it an unlikely prospect. Under the former Coalition State Government, $400 million was offered for regional rail co-funding, yet no proposals were submitted to reopen the line. As recently as 15 February this year, The Northern Daily Leader said:

... NSW Minister for Regional Transport, [The Hon.] Jenny Aitchison has ruled out restoring train services on the Great Northern Railway Line ...

The rail trail is not just a substitute for rail; it is an opportunity to transform the region into a tourism and recreation destination. The success of similar projects across Australia demonstrates the economic and social benefits that they bring. Denying our region the opportunity to showcase its cooler summer climate, breathtaking mountain views and unique flora and fauna is an incredibly short-sighted decision. The benefits are undeniable. Working together, the community developed a proposal that spanned multiple local government areas and represented a united community. The New England Rail Trail is not just a pipe dream; it is a regional priority with widespread support and sound economic justification. I implore the Minns and Albanese governments to restore funding to the New England Rail Trail, to work with our community to ensure that the legacy of regional progress continues and to make New England a destination that showcases the best of what we have to offer.