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NRRT Inc update newsletter, URGENT HELP NEEDED NOW

andreas

September 4, 2014

Northern Rivers Rail Trail Inc.
A regional cycling and walking trail for all the community.
Visit us online: www.northernriversrailtrail.org.au | Facebook Get involved Forward to a Friend

Hi

URGENT HELP NEEDED NOW!

RAIL TRAIL AHEAD!

Living Community Festival and Street Parade

Rail Trails for NSW Workshop
Northern Rivers Rail Trail supporter Tony Keogh is very keen to see the initiative gain support and become a major part of the Northern Rivers Region.
          Rail Trail Ahead 

BALLINA MP Don Page said he is aiming to have funding and legislation for a Murwillumbah to Casino rail trail locked in by the end of November – his last Parliamentary session before retirement

While there are still a few important hurdles, Mr Page said the Northern Rivers Rail Trail project would be the “first cab off the rank” ahead of several rail trail projects in the pipeline for the state.

“I’d be hoping that we’d have a fairly firm proposal in front of government within a month or so,” Mr Page said.

“It’s not that complicated, but it does have to be right.”

The proposal would allow funding to be locked in from the Regional Tourism Fund under Restart NSW, and legislation would then be passed to green light the project.

“I’d personally like to see it done by the end of November. That’s my objective,” Mr Page said.

Mr Page said the state government is currently conducting a more rigorous cost-benefit study of the trail, while locally the search for a suitable proponent for the project is underway.Northern Rivers Rail Trail secretary Steve Martin said it was an “absolutely critical stage” to find the right proponent organisation, ideally with a track record in managing funding and rolling out a valuable community infrastructure project.

“To keep the asset in public ownership is key to our thinking,” Mr Martin said.

“I think what we’ve got the potential for here is a hallmark attraction for Australia.”

“The upshot of that is it’s got huge community benefit as well – it’s an amazing asset.”

“We just need to find the right structure and there’s a huge appetite to make that happen from within government.”

Mr Page said a suitable proponent could involve the formation of a trust, which would have representation from state and local government, and community representatives.

He said his aim was to ensure the project was fully funded before any work commenced.

Most funding is expected to come from the Regional Tourism Fund under Restart NSW although there are also hopes for some level of federal funding.

“I’m a very keen advocate for the rail trail, I think it will bring tremendous benefits to the region.”

Lismore Northern Star

URGENT HELP NEEDED NOW!

Instructions on how to support the rail trail:
For online you go to the following and register and then it will take you to the rail trail letters and you can add yours: Your letter can be short and simple saying why you like the idea of a rail trail.
For hard copy newspaper send your letter in via this link
There is a very narrow window to show your support- please do this in the next 1-2 days
IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU NOW ACT!

Come along and support the rail trail by joining the Street Parade.
Bring your bike, walking shoes, horse, wheelchair, stroller, buggy, or whatever you will be using on the trail. We will meet at the council carpark 9am.

Mullumbimby Community Gardens “Celebrates Community” with its 4th annual spring

event The Living Community Festival. Cultivated with the iconic culture and

sustainability consciousness Mullumbimby is celebrated for, this year’s event again

involves has a diverse program of interactive of interactive workshops,

entertainment, local food vendors, community information stalls, kids activities and

lots more.

The Santos Organics Positive Action Forum festival presents keynotes from Professor

Ian Lowe (Australian Conservation Foundation), Clive Hamilton (Australia Institute),

Behrokh Koshnevis, (3D printing) and Costa Georgiardis (ABC’s Gardening Australia).

We look forward to the Q&A forum exploring ‘How to engage community in

sustainability’.

An event culture of learning and community connection, features include the Youth

Future Generation Village, the Crystal Castle Healing Village and the Australian

Bamboo Society’s Bamboo Sculpture Competition.

Enriching fun and learning for all, workshops will present Permaculture, Biodynamics,

Biochar and Sustainable Technologies; whilst the local food, arts and crafts market

delivers the quintessential Northern Rivers experience.

Kicking off at 10AM is the annual Living Community Street parade. Brought to you by

the Chamber of Commerce, we kick off from council chambers with floats and all

manner of entertainment, brought to you by local organisations, schools, and

businesses. Join us along the way to Burringbar St and on to Mullumbimby

Community Gardens.

Add kids activities, a Jumping Castle and the unmissable Silent Disco it all stacks up

to a marvellous day out.

There won’t be parking around the gardens so be sure to park at the MullumbimbyShow Grounds, where a free MAGIC shuttle bus will zip you to the Gardens. It will be

running 9AM to 7PM.

To support the costs of this community event, this year Day Pass Tickets will be $10

for adults and $2 for 12-18yo. Kids under 12 are free.

Limited numbers of Gold pass tickets for the Positive Action Forum are available for

pre-purchase from our website for just $45 at:

www.mullumbimbycommunitygardens.org.

Rail Trails a Step Closer in Regional NSW

Representatives from 16 regions across NSW met in Sydney this week to take the next steps in making rail trails in NSW a reality. The workshop was organised by Rail Trails for NSW. The local MP from the Tumbarumba area, Greg Aplin, opened the workshop on behalf of the Minister for Tourism. He strongly supports the development of rail trails across NSW and noted the significant economic and social benefits they would bring to the state.

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail team representatives included Pat Grier, Glenys Ritchie, Cameron Nelson, Mitch Lowe and Geoff Meers. There was strong attendance from the 16 different rail trail groups across NSW including local government mayors and councillors.

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail has made significant progress with strong and growing support from our local communities. State and local government members in our region have thrown themselves behind the trail.

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail supporters will be working even harder now to gain formal approval for the rail trail in this region. We cannot be left behind and risk missing out on the significant benefits the trail will bring to the Northern Rivers. Save the corridor, Use the Corridor, and Connect our Communities.

The first application for rail trail approval has been formally lodged by the Tumbarumba Shire.

 Photo : Members of committe attending workshop – Pat Grier, Glenys Ritchie and Cameron Arnold. All managed to win a prize in the raffle!!

    SUPPORT THE RAIL TRAIL

  • Come and join in the street parade and attend the Living Community Festival. Email below to let us know if you are parading.
  • Volunteer at the markets – contact enquiries@northernriversrailtrail.org.au
  • Tell your friends and family about the rail trail.
  • Encourage them to sign our online petition, follow us on facebook and join as a supporter from our website below.
  • Write to your local council thanking them for their support.
  • Contact your local state member to thank them for their ongoing support.
  • Write a letter to the editor of your local paper in support of the rail trail –http://www.northernstar.com.au/contact/feedback
  • Tell your federal member about the rail trail http://www.northernriversrailtrail.org.au

 

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