Northern Rivers Rail Trail: Updates on Byron Bay, Lismore sections of 132km tourism project

The wildly successful Northern Rivers Rail Trail is forging ahead, with a Lismore leg spinning towards completion and an update on funding for a Byron corridor days away. Here’s the latest.

The Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, June 2024. Picture: Tweed Tourism Co

The wildly successful Northern Rivers Rail Trail is powering ahead, with a Lismore leg spinning towards completion and answers expected in the coming days on whether the state and federal government will fork out funding for a Byron corridor.

The award-winning trail, which launched in the Tweed on March 1 last year to widespread acclaim among tourists and locals, has had an astonishing 197,117 users since it opened.

From July to September this year, 30,443 users took on the 24km-long section of the trail from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek.

Statistics from Rail Trail volunteers show the Tweed section averages more than 10,000 users each month and has injected about $3.7 million into the economy since its launch.

In June, Lismore City Council and Byron Shire Council joined forces to fast-track completion.

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail map. Picture: Supplied/NRRT

The neighbouring shires completed an application together in a bid to secure $38m in funding from the The Australian Government’s regional Precincts and Partnerships Program.

The outcome is expected to be announced before the end of November.

Funding would go towards completing two trail sections in the Byron Shire – the first being Mullumbimby to Tweed and the second Bangalow to Binna Burra, along with a final section in the Richmond Valley – Lismore to Eltham. The Byron corridor is set span 62.8km.

Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said she was a huge supporter of the project.

She told this publication: “It’s very exciting that we are one step closer to getting our very own rail trail happening here in the Byron Shire.”

$3.7m has been injected into the Tweed economy since the trail opened in March last year. Picture: Tweed Tourism Co

“We are still waiting on an outcome on the grant announcement from the Australian Government’s Regional Precincts and Partnership Program. I’m hopeful this will be end of November, but unfortunately not something we can control,” Ndiaye said.

“As Lismore is the lead applicant, they will be advised first. In the meantime, we wait.”

On Thursday, a Lismore City Council spokesman said the “eagerly anticipated” 16.3km Lismore to Bentley stretch would open on December 14, marking a “milestone for this transformative regional project”.

“Delivered on time and within budget, this third section brings the region closer to realising the Trail’s full 132km journey, stretching from Murwillumbah in the picturesque Tweed hinterland through Lismore to Casino,” the spokesman said.

“Over the past month, construction crews have been putting the final touches on what promises to be a unique experience for visitors and locals alike.

The Lismore to Bentley corridor will open on December 14. Picture: Tweed Tourism Co

“Showcasing the region’s creativity and heritage, a local artisan has repurposed original railway steel to craft distinctive features along the trail.”

The spokesman said the Lismore council was “proud to see the vision” of the trail “come to life locally” and that the project was “a game-changer” for the wider region.

He was “confident that the Lismore to Bentley section will mirror the success of its neighbouring segments”.

Richmond Valley Council’s Casino to Bentley section, open since March, had already drawn 30,000 visitors, the spokesman said.

Lismore has been working “collaboratively with Byron Shire Council on securing joint funding” for the trail, which has been “driving tourism, boosting local economies, and providing an unparalleled way to experience the region’s stunning rural landscapes and historical treasures”.

The trail has been a hit with locals and tourists alike. Picture: Tweed Tourism Co

Just Ride Cycles Lismore bike shop owner Jason Sipple said he was not planning to capitalise on the Lismore section’s opening “just yet”, but would “wait and see how it pans out”.

“I’m not sure it will do as well as further north in the Tweed, but it’s a play it by ear situation,” he said.

“At this stage I’m not hiring bikes out. I used to but may have to change my tune if the rail trail here starts going off.”

Mr Sipple said he “loved the fact the trail is opening here” and “it’s good to see kids getting on-board with their parents and giving it a go”.

“I think it’s great and can’t understand why it has been met with any controversy,” he said.

The project makes use of disused railway corridors and has been taking shape despite some opposition from those who would like to see trains return to the region, or tracks to at least be retained.

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