Kevin Hogan MP (Member for Page) has announced $9.9 million has been granted to construct the Bentley to Lismore Railway Station section. This means the section between Casino and Lismore is now fully funded!
Says Kevin, “This is fantastic news for locals, tourists and businesses who will all benefit from this major tourist landmark.”
The Casino Lismore section will be approx. 30km of the planned 130km Northern Rivers Rail Trail. With destinations on both ends, this will create numerous opportunities for businesses, recreation, and safe car free commuting
The Lismore funding complements the $7.5 million Casino to Bentley section via the Richmond Valley Council, funded by the Australian Government, under the National Tourism Icons Program and the $14.9 million for the Tweed section – Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek, via the Australian Government and the State Government.
The next section we need to be funded will be a big one!
This is Lismore to Booyong, and there is a lot to do. We are asking for a show of support and we need volunteers.
Can you help? We Need:
– Helpers at our Market Stall to hand out flyers and chat all things Rail Trail. Lismore and Bangalow markets particularly.
– Emails to Councillors and local media
– Photos of the rail trail, local riders and users, please DM our Instagram/FB
– Places to put petitions, surveys and flyers across the whole shire
– Hands on deck to gather information and support from businesses, residents, visitors and families
If you can help, Please contact Glenys Ritchie at gritch8@bigpond.com
We absolutely appreciate our supporters taking time out to help push this incredibly important community project. We couldn’t do it without you! Thank you so much.
All hands on deck to push Lismore City Council to complete their section.
Let’s make it happen!
RICHMOND VALLEY UPDATE
The detail for the second phase of funding is being finalised, with Council gearing up to move into the final design & construction stage soon.
There is a diversity of landscapes along this stretch of corridor. Primary koala habitat trees, sections of Paperbarks, into parts of the corridor lined with Casuarinas onto Silky Oaks, then into patches of large Balga Grass Plants, natural lakes with many native bird species….. This will be a special place for people to enjoy our unique part of the world and appreciate our native flora and fauna.
TWEED UPDATE
The Tweed section of the trail is on target to be completed by December next year. The project was given the green light in June when Tweed Shire Council awarded Hazell Bros (Qld) Pty Ltd an $11.8 million contract to progress design and construction. Planning began on a pilot project back in 2013 as part of an effort to support the local economy and provide a valuable recreation asset for the community.
Since then, numerous studies and extensive consultation have been undertaken, significant funding has been secured from the state and federal governments, and necessary amendments have been made to legislation to help finally make this project a reality. Early construction work is still about 4weeks away as the Detailed Design Phase is just being completed. We are hoping for some significant progress on the ground before Xmas.
