Is cash on track for trail - or will it run off the rails?

OPINION: THERE has been a virtual conga line of ministers turning up to tell us that a rail trail for the Northern Rivers is a good idea.

Premier Mike Baird, former Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner, Ballina MP Don Page and now Regional Tourism Minister John Barilaro have all made positive noises about a Northern Rivers Rail Trail, but that doesn't mean much unless they're prepared to stump up some cash. Picture: Alan Porritt

THERE has been a virtual conga line of ministers turning up to tell us that a rail trail for the Northern Rivers is a good idea.

From NSW Premier Mike Baird to Regional Tourism Minister John Barilaro, who yesterday turned up in Bangalow to have a little look.

What I want to know is, when is someone going to stump up some money to get this project on track?

There's supposedly been $100 million in a NSW infrastructure fund since the budget was handed down earlier this year.

The sale of the state's electricity assets would reap another $300 million, we are told.

Considering the rail trail would cost about $75 million and is pretty much considered 'shovel ready', what's the hold up?

We are told that an announcement on the rail trail is imminent.

And it would be great to get funding committed before the next state election.

I'm hoping that it is not going to be used as carrot to get people to vote for the Coalition at the next election.

Outgoing Ballina MP Don Page has been campaigning pretty hard on this and it would be a good 'legacy' project for him to go out on.

It would be a bonus if a potential Casino to Murwillumbah rail trail could be in sync with a broader integrated transport plan for the Northern Rivers.

Rail may never return to these tracks, but it would be nice to get on a bus and be able to get around our region at regular intervals.

If we had that hooking up with a high speed rail link along the eastern seaboard, so much the better.