The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is being constructed in stages across four Local Government Areas.
In the Byron Shire we are:
- Moving forward with planning and approvals for the rail trail from Mullumbimby to Crabbes Creek, and the old Byron Bay station through Bangalow to Booyong.
- Exploring funding opportunities to reactivate the Byron Shire rail corridor.
Planning and approvals to implement the rail trail
The decision to move forward with planning and approvals to implement the rail trail came at the 24 August 2023 meeting.
Council also resolved to seek a lease over as much of the corridor as possible to help:
- Ensure the corridor remains in public hands.
- Enable investigation of options for diverse housing within the corridor.
- Enable the activation of unused space, infrastructure and buildings for community use.
- Allow council to receive income for trail maintenance.
- Allow environmental rehabilitation, including wildlife corridors.
- Other options for public transport.
Council reiterates ongoing support for multi-use of the rail corridor between Byron Bay and Mullumbimby.
See 24 August Council Meeting Minutes for more information.
Feasibility study
The decision compliments a feasibility study for the 63 kms section between Yelgun and Eltham being undertaken by the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation.
The Northern Rivers Joint Organisation received $481,115 from the Regional NSW – Business Case and Strategy Development Fund to conduct this study.
A copy of the reporting can be found at within the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation Ordinary Board Meeting on Friday 10 November 2023, page 208.
Northern Rivers Joint Organisation Ordinary Board Meeting (PDF, 14MB)
The business case focuses on the development of the Lismore to Crabbes Creek section, along with the potential for a 'Bangalow to Ballina Link’. It also discusses the pros and cons of 'On-Formation' and 'Off-Formation' (in certain sections) rail trails.
Funding
We have been working with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and Department of Regional NSW to identify funding opportunities to develop the Byron Shire rail corridor.
In November 2022, we were granted access by TfNSW to undertake essential vegetation survey between Byron Bay and Mullumbimby. This will enable a detailed engineering assessment of the existing rail infrastructure.
We are seeking funding from both State and Federal Government for these activities.
Plus, in partnership with Lismore City Council, Byron Shire is applying under the Australian Government’s Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program for the following on-formation rail trail sections:
- Lismore to Bex Hill
- Bangalow Industrial Estate to Bangalow Showgrounds
- Mullumbimby to Crabbes Creek.