Five things you need to know about the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail

Following the Tweed section contract being awarded last month, here are five important things to know about the project which has divided the town.

Following the decision on who will build the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail last month, we’ve gathered the answers to five important questions about the project.

Here are five things you need to know:

1. Who is building it?

Hazell Bros (Qld) Pty Ltd have been award the contract for design and construction of the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

The company is behind a number of other civil projects including $8.1 million in safety upgrades to intersections on a 25km stretch of the Bruce Highway in the Gympie region, Byron Bay’s new $8.4 million bus stop and Ballina’s $10 million Airport Boulevard “entry statement”.

The award of the tender has come under scrutiny by some as the track will be built 80 per cent on formation and will require the train tracks to be ripped up.

2. Where is it being built?

The 24km Tweed Valley section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail Project will run from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek.

The proposed trail begins in Condong, goes through Murwillumbah, continues to Stokers Siding then to Burringbar and Mooball then to Crabbes Creek before continuing into the Byron Shire side of the project.

From Crabbes Creek the track goes to Yelgun, Billinudgel, Mullumbimby, Byron Bay then Bangalow before heading to Lismore and finally Casino.

3. When is it being built?

The Tweed Valley section of the rail trail could begin build as early as September this year according to Project Director for the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail Iain Lonsdale.

“The detailed design and construction planning phase will now take place, after which the community will be able to view the final rail trail design plans,” Mr Lonsdale said.

“Initial construction activities may commence as early as September this year, with the construction phase of the project estimated to take until December 2022 to complete.

“Residents can keep up with the latest on the project by visiting www.yoursaytweed.com.au/RailTrail”

4. What is happening with the legal action?

Protesters rallying to save the rail tracks at the proposed route for the Tweed Valley Rail Trail.

Following the decision to award the rail trail tender which would see the train tracks ripped up, a group in support of saving the tracks have threatened to file an injunction against the council. 

As of Monday no injunction had been served.

5. How is it being funded?

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is funded by several means.

The Federal Government provided $6.5 million funding from Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Package Fund and also provided $7.5 million from the Australian Government’s National Tourism Icons Program for the 13-kilometre section at the western end of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail from Bentley to Casino.

The State Government provided $7.8 million funding from the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund toward the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

 An additional $600,000 was secured to cover the cost of promoting, operating and embellishing the section to be spread over the first three years.

The total approved grant funding obtained from State and Federal Governments is approximately $14.3 million excluding GST.