In the long-running saga to finance and ultimately complete the Northern Rivers Rail Trail’s ‘missing link’, the Byron Shire are looking at alternate funding models.
The NRRT has been years in the making, with the goal of converting 132 kilometres of disused rail corridor between Casino and Murwillumbah into what will eventually be one of Australia's longest rail trails.
Spanning four local government areas, the trail has proven to be a major success since the Tweed Shire opened the first section from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek (24 km) in March 2023.
A phenomenally popular destination, the trail has welcomed almost 350,000 users since March 2023, according to trail data and visitor surveys. On average, it attracts more than 300 riders each day, over 2,000 a week, and close to 10,000 a month.
But funding the 54km section through the Byron Shire remains the bugbear of trail users, management and local councils.
In August 2024, Byron Shire and Lismore City councils lodged a joint application for $42 million in federal funding through the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program, seeking to finish the sections from Mullumbimby to Crabbes Creek and Lismore to Bexhill. That bid was rejected earlier this year.
Now Byron Shire councillors have backed a notice of motion by Mayor Sarah Ndiaye and Deputy Mayor Jack Dods calling for a full report into why the application failed and what other funding options are available.
Alternative models such as philanthropic contributions, charitable sponsorship, lotteries, and public-private partnerships have been touted. Another option recently floated was a ‘sponsor a section’ scenario.
Deputy Mayor Dods recently said the original grant was clearly too ambitious.
“The cost was too high. It was not detailed enough because it took a 30,000-foot approach,” he told the region’s local news outlet The Echo, adding the goal now is to “get some wins on the board.”
Keen to support the fledgling Northern Rivers Rail Trail? Visit the website and have your say at www.northernriversrailtrail.com.au/support