A historic decision by Byron Bay Council, with a final 6-3 vote to extend the Rail Trail into Byron.
Council staff will be moving ahead with planning, approval processes and applications for funding to create a link from Mullumbimby to meet the Rail Trail’s Tweed Section at Crabbes Creek, and another link through Bangalow to Booyong to meet the Lismore Local Government Area.
This is balanced by focusing on options for dual use from Mullumbimby to Byron.
“The business case for the rail trail is concrete and real, and it’s on show in the Tweed Shire, and it’s been funded by government,” Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon said.
“We owe it to our community to deliver on something now that can happen, that can be used by our residents and their families and that can be optimised to bring a whole raft of other benefits to our community.
“I think it’s time we take the opportunity before us to deliver something meaningful for our community,” Mayor Lyon said.
With thanks to Councillor Asren Pugh’s push for the community petition, and long standing rail trail supporters, Councillor Mark Swivel and Councillor Alan Hunter.
Read the media release here
Thank you for Signing the Byron Petition
And a huge thanks to you who signed the Byron petition, to show the strength of community support in continuing the trail. It absolutely helped in turning the vote.
The best comment goes to Chris Coyne who said, “70,000 users of the Tweed trail have ridden into a dead end. This trail needs to be continued.”
We absolutely agree!
The petition is still open, you can check out all the wonderful supporting comments here, and click here to sign if you haven’t already.
For Our Community
We cannot begin to describe how fantastic it is to see and experience a section of the Trail come to life, after more than 10 years of campaigning for this community asset. And what a community it is, that has well and truly turned out, in all manner of ages and abilities to enjoy it.
Help us campaign to complete all 130km of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail just by:
Visiting the Tweed section. Walk, meander, run, cycle, drop in at a local business. Bring friends and have a great few hours out experiencing everything the trail has to offer.
Finding our information stall at the Byron Bay Markets, we’re always up for a chat.
Following us on Facebook or Instagram and check out all the incredible photos, videos, comments and up to date news on the trail.
How to donate
Donations to this community project are gratefully welcomed and will be used to help us move the project forward. Click on the Donate button in the top right corner of this website.
