Images courtesy of @kiffandculture/@thetweed
The first section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail has proven hugely popular in its first few months and the local council says there is a strong economic boost in the region.
Construction and investigative works are continuing on other segments of the 132km recreational path through northern New South Wales and the Byron Shire Council is looking to add its own link to the trail.
A petition to support the trail has attracted almost 4000 signatures so far. If you live in the area, or would like to see a world-class rail trail through the Byron Shire come to life, pledge your support here.
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail begins at Murwillumbah Railway Station and ends in Crabbes Creek. The scenic 24km journey takes riders and walkers over historic railway bridges, through tunnels and across beautiful countryside.
This Tweed section of the trail attracted around 70,000 users in its first four months, exceeding the council's projections of 27,000 visitors per year.
The grand vision is for the trail to continue down the coast to Byron Bay before heading inland towards Casino. The final 13km section between Bentley and Casino is under construction and scheduled to open in mid-2023. The Bentley to Eltham section is being designed and is scheduled to begin construction in late 2023.
The proposed 31km section between Yelgun and Bangalow falls within the Byron Shire and is yet to be funded. The council will vote its section on 24 August.
"Lots of people were very upset when the trains were taken off the tracks 20 years ago," says Byron Shire Councillor Asren Pugh. There has been many attempts to get the government to reverse that decision, but it is clear that it is not going to be reversed. Meanwhile, we've got a very successful rail trail in the Tweed Shire that has exceeded expectations."
Pugh says that many people are getting in their cars and driving up to Tweed to enjoy the trail. He'd like to see them benefit from a similar attraction closer to home.
"I'm actually mostly interested in the local impacts," he says. "The trail would run right through the middle of Bangalow, connecting surburbia with child care, the school and the showground. Kids could get all the way to school without crossing a single road.
"The same goes for the part of the trail north of Byron in Ocean Shores and Brunswick Heads. It would easily connect to the bike network in those areas."
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