Tamworth Intermodal Rail Hub and Global Gateway Park: Barnaby Joyce announces federal government will contribute $2 million

Member for New England Barnaby Joyce told the Leader the money would be used to further develop the rail hub that has been costed to need a further $20 million.

"We are delivering this money that will help with road access and the first stages of development," he said.

"As a site it's bigger than Taminda, so this will drag jobs into Tamworth, whether that's administrative or trade there is a greater prospect your son or daughter has a job in Tamworth at this vital industrial economic hub.

"It's something I have been fighting for."

Tamworth Regional Council submitted a grant application for a further $20 million on Friday to complete the rail hub and adjoining Tamworth Global Gateway Park precinct.

Construction on the project began last month, a final detailed plan is expected to be finished by September with the entire intermodal hub pegged to be in business by the end of 2021.

The Tamworth Regional Ratepayers' Association expressed concern that there was no detailed business case for the entire Tamworth Global Gateway Park (TGGP) and adjoining rail hub and as a result, ratepayers would have to foot the bill.

The project has struggled for the last 30 months since the state government announced $7.4 million to build a rail line from the West Tamworth depot to the industrial estate.