Councillors vote in favour of tender which would tear up the Tweed Valley train tracks
The decision as to who will tender the $11.7 million rail trail was made behind closed doors after an emotional discussion which had one councillor on the verge of tears describing the idea the tracks wouldn’t be used again as ‘typical of a fascist dictatorship.’
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Tweed Shire Council has gone with recommendation to award Hazell Bros the tender for the $11.7 million Tweed Valley Rail Trail which would see the train tracks ripped up to build on formation.
The decision was met with protest from the Northern Rivers Rail Ltd group who rallied outside the Murwillumbah Railway station before the council chambers who oppose the rail tracks being removed.
After threats of legal action from the group a decision was made by councillors at the Thursday night’s meeting to decide the tenderer of the rail trail in confidential.
Before moving into confidential councillors spoke at length about the 24km Tweed Valley Rail Trail Project which covers a route from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek.
The works to be performed involve design and construction of a Rail Trail for pedestrians and cyclists which would extend from the Murwillumbah Station terminus and finish just south of the location of the previous railway station near Crabbes Creek.
This stage incorporates two tunnels, 26 bridges and provides multiple vistas of the Tweed Caldera landscape.
Four offers for tender were received.
Mayor Chris Cherry said the council had received a petition with more than 2000 signatures asking for the train tracks not to be ripped up and emails from at least 200 people supporting the trail being built on formation.
“We’re being pulled either way,” Ms Cherry said.
She said the council had let the community down in terms of public consultation regarding the train tracks.
“As far as I know that is the biggest thing the community feels – they haven’t been asked,” she said.
She referred to a light rail project in the Byron Shire as proof dual use was possible for the project.
Councillor Pryce Allsop, who protested the closure of the tracks in 2004, said he hadn’t received any business models from the private sector who supported use of the train tracks and said they have had since 2013 when the decision was first made to build a rail trail.
This sentiment was backed by Councillor Reece Byrnes.
Councillor Kate Milne became emotional foreshadowing which way she suspected the decision would go.
“I’ve been through many divisive topics – this is one of them that is going to go down in history for a really long time,” Ms Milne said.
“My heart will be very sad, I know we will have betrayed the trust of our community.”
She said the notion that the train track would never be used again was stubborn.
“(It’s) typical of a fascist dictatorship that says this will never happen,” she said.
Councillor Warren Polglase said as part of applying for State Government funding the council had to prove the community consultation had been sufficient otherwise it would not have been approved.
He said the decision reminded him of building the Art Gallery 21 years ago which the community had since grown to love.
“The decision tonight will only be great benefit to The Tweed and Murwillumbah to come,” Cr Polglase said.
Councillor Ron Cooper said like many he was nostalgic for the train but said he wanted to “look forward”.
“I like the idea of the rail trail, I’d like it to be set up on one formation because I think it gives us the most accessible option to travel,” Mr Cooper said.
“I haven’t seen anyone say they could make money out of any alternative, I’m sure that would have been put before us.”
Once the motion came out of confidential it was revealed Councillors Cherry and Milne voted against the recommendation and all other councillors for.
Councillor James Owen was not present for the proceedings due to a conflict of interest.
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