If the region wants the population to grow then public transport needs to improve. Buses are hopeless if you are infirm or disabled.

The tourism industry has been wrecked by COVID and when restrictions ease there will be a dash for overseas.

Any tourism needs the Heritage trains. Steam loco 3801 visited Tamworth and brought more tourists in one day than a decade from a fail trail, and Lachlan Valley Tram brought 200 travellers to Walcha. Victoria vintage trains pull huge crowds.

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Fail trails appeal to a niche elite that may bring a few cafe or motel cleaning jobs.

Trains mean engineering careers and skilled work viz; Puffing Billy rebuilding and converting locos.

A fail trail extends the Neoliberal desire to dismantle public infrastructure with "greens" lapping it up to Neoliberal glee!

There's plenty of money available to pay for the massive mistakes made by "Transport for Australia" in Sydney yet when it comes to basic services in rural areas - the city centric LNP cry poor! This has to stop!

We are crying out for health, education, GP's and decent transport in rural areas. Floods closed the multibillion dollar coastal road along with the single track coastal rail whilst the ridge remained high and dry and the New England Highway thundering with B Doubles!

Now the roads are again falling apart against State and Federal promises! When will the LNP take New England seriously!