Northern Rivers Rail Trail in NSW will soon be a reality

Momentous news was received this week — the second rail trail on a former government rail line will become a reality with the passage legislation enabling two sections of the proposed 128km Northern Rivers Rail Trail to progress.

This will enable the Tweed Shire Council to move to the construction stage of the “Tweed” rail trail between Murwillumbah and Crabbes Ck and the Richmond Valley Council to move forward from the planning stage on the Casino to Bentley Rail Trail. We are expecting a announcement from the Richmond Valley Council on their future plans within the next few weeks.

The news is particularly welcomed by the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) committee and their supporters.  It has been a long hard road and, at times, a very bitter debate which has gone on for close to sixteen years.

NRRT President Pat Grier said “I thank both sides of NSW parliament for their support for the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. I know the community overwhelmingly wants the rail trail to happen and I’m excited to see this milestone reached. I’m particularly pleased for the desperately needed jobs in this region that I know the trail will deliver. We will be the custodians of the corridor, to protect it for any future transport use, to maintain it as a wild life corridor and to make sure it stays in public hands.”

Rail Trails Australia also notes the continued support and action of the Tweed Shire Council to get to this stage and be ready for construction. RTA also thanks again the NSW and federal governments who have provided funding for the Tweed section and part of the Casino section.

If you are from NSW don’t forget to support the petition for further funding for the Casion section – Click Here

For those wanting detail, the legislation closed two sections of the former Casino to Muwillumbah rail line; Casino to Bentley and Crabbes Creek to Condong (Murwillumbah). Refer to the legislation page here.

Click on this link for the Casino to Bentley Rail Trail draft master plan — this is Stage 2 of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.