LISMORE TO BENTLEY RAIL TRAIL OPENING – A FANTASTIC SUCCESS!

They came from all parts of the Northern Rivers on 14th December, to the old Lismore Railway Station for the official opening of the Lismore to Bentley section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan, Mayor of Lismore Steve Krieg, Mayor of Ballina Sharon Cadwallader, Mayor of Richmond Valley Robert Musto, Councillors Andrew Bing, Electra Jensen, Andrew Gordon, Gianpiero Battista, Harper Dalton-Earls and Virginia Waters and the General Managers from Lismore, Rous County Council and Byron Shire Council.  Luckily the weather held out long enough for people to enjoy the morning and ride the section between Lismore and Bentley.

The General Manager of Lismore City Council Jon Gibbons was the capable MC. After acknowledgement of the First Nations peoples of the region, the speakers were Kevin Hogan MP, who was vital for the completion of the project and obtaining funding for the full Casino to Lismore link, Steve Krieg and supporter and enabler of the trail and Cameron Arnold OAM, Vice President of Northern Rivers Rail Trail Supporters Inc., a volunteer organisation which has driven the NRRT project forward for nearly 20 years. All other honoured guests were acknowledged, LCC staff and contractors were thanked, numerous people congratulated and expectations for the many benefits and future success of the rail trail were espoused.

Importantly all the speakers conveyed their clear visions of a completed trail stretching from Casino all the way to Murwillumbah via many small villages and the bigger and better known towns of Lismore, Bangalow, Byron Bay and Mullumbimby. A trail running the full 132+ klms will be a catalyst for increased success and greater benefits for locals and the region.

There was a steady stream of people all day walking, running and riding and in the Cycling Without Age trio-bikes, getting to know their new, safe, well-constructed trail. More than one person ran from Casino and many rode to Bentley or Casino, a lot on bikes hired at the old Lismore station.

It was great to see Barry Longland (former mayor of Tweed Council), Don Page (former minister for the North Coast) and Eddie Roberts (bush regenerator and one of the original supporters with the vision.)
Thanks also to the local fire brigade  and NorthTracksYouthWorks.

A big shout out to the guys from Rail Trails for NSW and Rail Trails Australia for making the trip and to David Mills from the pending New England Rail Trail.

Here is how the day went!