Since December, both the council and Qube Holdings have declined to comment on the project and said all questions must be directed to the state government.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the government agency, the council, Qube, John Holland Rail, the Department of Planning Industry and Environment were "working closely together to progress the Tamworth intermodal-rail line re-activation project".

"The Tamworth Intermodal projects are in the design and planning stage," a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.

"We expect the detailed design to be completed by the end of March 2020, with the rail line to be reinstated in 2021."

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The development has been plagued with delays and setbacks since $7 million in state government funding was announced for the project in November 2017.

At the time, council business director John Sommerlad's forecast the project would be completed in the second half of 2018.

In July 2018, the Leader reported that council had reviewed the "ambitious" timeline and expected the first trains to be rolling through in August 2019.

In June 2019, Tamworth mayor Col Murray said the designs for the hub were being completed and estimated the build would be two to three months away.

In September 2019, it was revealed the designs for the project had not been finished and the timeline was once again pushed back.

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