Lismore to Bentley update
Construction of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, Lismore to Bentley section is moving ahead. Construction crews are focusing their work on bridges and road crossings, with significant progress on the bridges at Bungabee and Back Creek. Groundwork and drainage are also continuing.
Existing bridges and structures are being used in various ways in the construction of the Rail Trail. After evaluating all the bridges and structures, some were identified for restoration and inclusion in the trail, while others were too dilapidated or unsuitable to meet safety standards. These unsuitable bridges are being replaced with appropriate structures based on the land’s topography. Bridges that cannot be used on the trail itself are being referenced with signage, providing a structural feature to be admired while on the trail. The project team is currently working on developing interpretive signage along the track.
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail continues to be a key driver of visitation to both the Tweed and Richmond Valley sections. Lismore businesses are encouraged to get ‘Rail Trail Ready’ with the Lismore section opening later this year. If you have a business that offers visitor experiences, services, or products, there are opportunities to leverage the rail trail. For more information on how your business or idea can benefit, please contact business@lismore.nsw.gov.au.
Funding for the Rail Trail project has been provided by the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.
A great day for Kate and Tracey training trishaw riders for the Burringbar Chapter of Cycling Without Age, on the Tweed Valley Rail Trail. We will keep you posted when the service starts!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554013541431
Another chapter of cycling without age!
It is with great excitement that Cycling Without Age – Casino announce they have received joint sponsorship for their first Trishaw.
Casino Lions and Rotary Club of Casino have donated $12,500 each!
We would like to say a huge, THANK YOU to both these wonderful community service providers for joining us for the ride!!
We’re looking forward to further announcements as Cycling Without Age – Casino continue to seek sponsorship and grant funding.
News from the Byron Shire
In the Byron Shire we are:
- Moving forward with planning and approvals for the rail trail from Mullumbimby to Crabbes Creek, and the old Byron Bay station through Bangalow to Booyong.
- Exploring funding opportunities to reactivate the Byron Shire rail corridor.
Planning and approvals to implement the rail trail
The decision to move forward with planning and approvals to implement the rail trail came at the 24 August 2023 meeting.
Council also resolved to seek a lease over as much of the corridor as possible to help:
- Ensure the corridor remains in public hands.
- Enable investigation of options for diverse housing within the corridor.
- Enable the activation of unused space, infrastructure and buildings for community use.
- Allow council to receive income for trail maintenance.
- Allow environmental rehabilitation, including wildlife corridors.
- Other options for public transport.
Council reiterates ongoing support for multi-use of the rail corridor between Byron Bay and Mullumbimby.
Bangalow station from above
Bentley to Crabbes Creek Business Case
The decision compliments a business case for the 75 kms section between Yelgun and Eltham being undertaken by the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation in partnership with the Northern Rivers Rail Trail Supporters.
The Northern Rivers Joint Organisation received $481,115 from the Regional NSW – Business Case and Strategy Development Fund to conduct this study.
The business case focuses on the development of the Lismore to Crabbes Creek section, along with the potential for a ‘Bangalow to Ballina Link’. It also discusses the pros and cons of ‘On-Formation’ and ‘Off-Formation’ in certain sections of the rail trail.
Funding
We have been working with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and Department of Regional NSW to identify funding opportunities to develop the Byron Shire rail corridor.
In November 2022, we were granted access by TfNSW to undertake essential vegetation management between Byron Bay and Mullumbimby. This will enable a detailed engineering assessment of the existing rail infrastructure.
We are seeking funding from both State and Federal Government for these activities.
Plus, in partnership with Lismore City Council, Byron Shire is applying under the Australian Government’s Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program for the following on-formation rail trail sections:
- Lismore to Bexhill.
- Bangalow Industrial Estate to Bangalow Showgrounds
- Mullumbimby to Crabbes Creek.
For the community
We cannot begin to describe how fantastic it is to see and experience 2 sections of the Trail come to life, after more than 11 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:
- 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.
- Visiting the Tweed and the Casino to Bentley 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!
- Attend Council Meetings when appropriate
(Further information to come, follow here or on Facebook for updates.)
