Tamworth's troubled rail hub delayed once again

Tamworth Regional Council predicted construction would start in August, however the project's designs are still yet to be finalised.

The Leader approached both Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson and Tamworth council separately, and received identical statements.

However, neither could explain why the project had been continuously delayed.

Both parties also failed to answer if Tamworth had enough base-load train movements to justify the proposal.

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TRC project manager Graeme McKenzie, said representatives from council, Transport NSW, Qube and John Holland Rail met last week to discuss finalising an operational plan for the project.

"John Holland Rail and Transport NSW have committed to having their minor amendments completed by the end of this week and it will then come to council and Qube for our input by the end of the month," he said.

"A range of issues have been identified on how we manage the various aspects of the project - like getting John Holland Rail and Transport NSW to undertake some work outside the rail corridor on land owned by council.

"However, we hope it will not be long before Qube will be ready to lodge a development application."

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Three consultants have been shortlisted for the detailed design work and an invitation to tender will be issued later this week.

The state government has released funding to Transport NSW to progress construction planning.

A project control group with representatives from each stakeholder will also be formed and meet for the first time in early October.

Council said a preliminary construction timeline would "be clearer once the detailed design is completed".