The minister for the North Coast of NSW, Don Page MP, announced on Friday 23rd August, that State funding is available for a feasibility study into the development of a rail trail on the disused rail line between Casino and Murwillumbah.
“This announcement of funding comes after the release of the Casino to Murwillumbah Train Study earlier this year, which found more than $900 million would need to be invested to ensure the line met safety and operating standards for frequent and quick train services, and that even if that occurred, it wouldn’t meet the current or future public transport needs of the region because two of the three largest centres (Ballina and Tweed Heads) would not be served,” Mr Page said.
Mr Page said that he believed “The establishment of a rail trail on the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line has enormous potential for the Northern Rivers area of NSW, and is worthy of investigation.”
A feasibility study would assess the cost and benefits of developing a rail trail on the Casino to Murwillumbah rail corridor. This would include the staging of its development, the potential enhancement of the regional tourism industry; identify funding sources for the development and maintenance of a rail trail, stakeholder consultation and the preservation of the rail corridor in the event that a rail service was to be reintroduced in the future should a viable economic model become available.
“In the absence of the trains returning, we still have a magnificent asset in the rail corridor which links Casino to Murwillumbah via cities and towns including Lismore, Bangalow, Byron Bay, Mullumbimby and Billinudgel. The 130km line takes in some of the most impressive vistas in northern NSW, and a rail trail could result in a tourist attraction that could bring millions of dollars a year to the local economy” Mr Page said.
This announcement has been welcomed by other north coast MPs including, Thomas George MP (Lismore), Geoff Provost MP (Tweed), Chris Gulaptis (Clarence), as well as the federal Nationals candidates Kevin Hogan (Page), and Matthew Fraser (Richmond).
Chairperson of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail Inc, Pat Grier, Said this was a great decision for the region. He said that “turning the old disused rail track into a trail for cycling, walking, and community use could be a game changer in helping this region create jobs” He went on to thank the minister for having the foresight and commitment to the North Coast by initiating the feasibility study.
The Terms of Reference for the proposed feasibility study are currently being finalised, and the Government will then call for tenders for the study.
Fur more information on this proposed rail trail click here
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Register for news updatesOn 24 March, Rail Trails Australia hosted the 2023 Rail Trails Forum in Murwillumbah NSW, timed to coincide with the Com...
The Tweed region in northern NSW celebrated the opening of the first section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail in a big ...
Come and walk or ride the Great Southern Rail Trail at the official opening event for the extension between Nyora to Leo...
The O’Keefe Challenge is gearing up for its annual Light the Rail Trail on Saturday 29 April 2023. The annual event ...
The Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc (CMRT) have taken a visionary and courageous step to create a short film to b...
Over 130 cyclists of various ages and abilities enjoyed a bike ride in perfect conditions along the Great Victorian Rail...
Planning for the new Somerville to Baxter shared path as part of the Peninsula Trail project is progressing well. The B...
Rail Trails Australia Central Queensland rep Desley O’Grady made a flying visit to Hervey Bay recently to inspect ...
Are you a keen caravanner? Are you also a cyclist? The March edition of the Caravan World magazine has a theme of family...
The Copper Coast Rail Trail between Kadina and Wallaroo was constructed in 2017. The 17km extension of the trail from Wa...
It’s time to bring the community together for the official celebration weekend of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. On S...
The Wadandi Track (formerly known as the Busselton-Flinders Bay Rail Trail) is a partially complete rail trail in WA’s...
There was a palpable sense of history being made in Murwillumbah NSW this morning, as the Tweed section of the Northern ...
The City of Greater Bendigo are currently in the process of ensuring some of the older sections of Victoria’s O’...
The Launceston Council recently approved another section of the Scottsdale to Lilydale rail trail, part of the North Eas...
The “Puffing Billy trail” is getting closer to the iconic Victorian steam train’s Belgrave headquarters, even if o...