RATEPAYERS have dodged a bullet as council decides not to move forward on a $50,000 rail trail feasibility study.
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Armidale Regional Council councillors were left scratching their heads on Thursday, presented with a copy of their February decision that does not match the previous minutes.
While not against the trail trail, Cr Debra O’Brien said she supported a motion she thought wasn’t going to cost the ratepayer money.
“I supported that and then learned it was put to tender to an external firm,” she said.
“The whole thing was done in a way that was hard to investigate, ask questions or seek further advice – I learned of the tender only last Monday.”
At February’s meeting, councillors voted to work with the state government after the results of the Office of Premier and Cabinet into a rail trail from Armidale to Ben Lomond.
The whole thing was done in a way that was hard to investigate, ask questions or seek further advice – I learned of the tender only last Monday.
- Debra O'Brien
They would then conduct a comprehensive investigation of relevant information and community consultation.
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But, on Thursday councillors were told the Economic Development team had secured three quotes for a rail trail business case, and selected Mike Halliburton Assoc. to undertake the business study at a $50,000 price tag, taken from the tourism budget.
Mayor Simon Murray told The Express two weeks earlier that he hoped the study would be funded using government grants.
Cr Dorothy Robinson suggested council defer the decision to a workshop, returned with an audible sigh from Cr Peter Bailey.
“Too often councillors are accused of shooting from the hip or making uninformed decisions,” Cr Bailey said.
“All we’re trying to do is get some information together, I would think it’s a natural step.”
The NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet consultation in Guyra showed people want a broad economic analysis of the project, an investigation into restoring passenger services and a plan going forward.