Stage 1 of The Great Northern Rail Trail, linking Armidale and Queensland has been given the green light, recently received $9 million in funding.
The disused railway line has not seen a train in 31 years, and after loads of hard work from local advocacy groups, Glen Innes Severn and Armidale Regional Councils have accepted the responsiblity of revitalising the corridor.
Once completed, the 103 kilometre path is expected to attract 15,000 new day visits and 14,000 new overnight stays to the region annually, as well as being used by around 37,000 local residents. It will generate an estimated $5.8M of additional visitor spending to the region each year.
Earlier this month, the Glen Innes Severn Council received nearly $9 million from the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund to build the 35.5km section of the trail between Glen Innes and Ben Lomond.
At the same time, Armidale Regional Council have an application for funding pending through the Building Better Regions Fund.
Both councils are now seeking further information as to the communities support for the project.
You can take their short survey to share your thoughts on the project and register interest for future community involvement.