Thanks so much for sticking with us for yet another year!
Here are the latest updates below:
Latest news from Tweed Council
Construction of The Tweed section is underway and is due to open in early 2023.
The initial 24 km stage will connect Murwillumbah with the villages of Stokers Siding, Burringbar, Mooball and Crabbes Creek.
Here’s our latest construction update from rail trail HQ.
Completed construction:
– Majority of gravel
– Murwillumbah bypass
– Asphalt at Murwillumbah, Burringbar, Stokers Siding and Mooball
– The bridge at South Burringbar
– The bridge at Mooball
Ongoing construction:
– Tweed Regional Art Gallery pathway earthworks are complete, with work constructing the path ongoing.
– The heritage platforms at Burringbar, Upper Burringbar and Stokers Siding have had concrete poured and finishing works are underway.
Construction commenced:
– Stokers Siding Bypass finishing works (drains and final trim)
– Heritage platforms at Mooball and Crabbes Creek
– Signage preparation
– Columns, girders and decks at Dunbible Bridge have been installed and handrail installations commenced.
That’s a wrap for December, next time we update you it will likely be a lot shorter list!
Who’s excited?
Subscribe to the Tweed Newsletter for the latest updates: https://fal.cn/NRRT_Newsletter
Latest news from Lismore Council
Lismore City Council have commenced the following:
– Concept design
– Detailed design (undertaken concurrently with the concept to ensure strategy and cost align)
– Environmental Assessments incl. REF, ACHAR
– Biosecurity Assessment
– Engaging with tFNSW re Lease
– Engaging with UGL re early works possibilities
Their goal is to have a contract out for Civil works by August next year.
Latest news from Byron Bay
There are a number of things that have happened this year with regards to the Byron Shire section of the rail corridor.
Firstly, council passed motions requesting staff to provide cost estimate for implementing bike and pedestrian track along the rail corridor from Bangalow Station through to Binna Burra and from Mullumbimby through to the Tweed council border.
In addition they have received a Government grant for the detailed design of the path from Bangalow Station West.
At the most recent meeting, they endorsed the design of a bike track from Mullumbimby through to Brunswick Heads. Following strong community support from a survey, this will follow the northern option, which utilises the rail corridor over the Brunswick River Bridge and North of Mullum, before turning east to Ocean Shores and Bruns.
It is the red dotted option on the image below.
There appears to be strong community support for both of these projects and while they will be designed for the benefit of local residents, they will fit perfectly into the wider Rail Trail network, particularly as the Northern section in Tweed Shire gets completed.
MICROMOBILITY CONFERENCE AND EXPO
Our Treasurer Marie Lawton had the honour of attending this expo along with members of Rail Trails Australia and Rail Trails for NSW. The RTA volunteers were kept very busy for the two days, answering many questions about Rail Trails in NSW.
A highlight of the even was awarding the Cycling Luminary Award for Volunteer Leadership to Marie Lawton, for the tireless efforts of herself and the volunteer committee of the NRRT.
Marie has given an inordinate amount of her time to the rail trail cause for over 10 years and developed strong positive links in our Northern Rivers community. It is great to see her dedication acknowledged.
We congratulate Marie on receiving this well-deserved award!
Jenny Dowel, Marie Lawton and Richard White – always at the ready!
Green Living Expo
What a wonderful day was had by all, at the Green Living Expo at Wollongbar Tafe.
Showcasing wonderful and new innovations for green and sustainable living, it was a pleasure to chat to everyone about one of the greenest community projects – the rail trail!
We were kindly invited by Alstonville Rotary and received very warmly by everyone there.
Christmas Celebrations
Thank you to Cape Byron Distillery and to our host and long serving committee member, Martin Brook, for hosting us for a wonderful end of year celebration with some wonderful Brookies Gin and Whisky and a magnificent food platter.
We hope to have a stall at the Byron Beachside Market on 1st February (weather permitting). Come and say hi, we love to chat.
And with that a Merry Christmas to all and the very happiest of holidays. Here’s to a bright new year for the rail trail!
