Marie Lawton, NRRT Inc.
The state government may be looking at selling off parts of the rail corridor. We all need to act now and secure our community rail trail as soon as possible or lose the corridor forever.
Recent floods caused substantial damage to the line, making it even more difficult for a train service to return.
We need some good news for our towns and villages after so much devastation in the Lismore and Murwillumbah region.
A rail trail will be a major boost for our towns and villages, just as they are around Australia and the world.
Our closest rail trail is the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. This trail goes from strength to strength and holds regular community events such as the up and coming Walk for Diabetes in July. Last year they supported Every Step Counts Walk, which raised funds for a myriad of different charitable causes. Families, walkers and cyclists go to Queensland to participate in these events and spend money in local townships often staying up to four days, booking into motels, pubs and bed and breakfasts.
Our region has 132 kms of trail through beautiful country with towns and villages within easy reach.
Tweed Council have prepared a detailed submission to state government seeking funding for their section from Murwillumbah to Crabbe’s Creek. Lismore and Casino are hoping to put in a joint submission for government funding for their end.
At the moment, all we have is a derelict railway line. If we don’t push for a significant community project like the rail trail, it may be destined to stay that way – or be sold off. We can’t let that happen! Please, everyone get on board with this community trail and do your bit. Invest in our community’s future!
What a legacy for current and future generations – even if you don’t ride a bike or are not interested in walking, your children and grandchildren will thank you for it in years to come.
We will be crowd funding in June to help Lismore and Richmond Councils do detailed plans of their section of the corridor. This will include extensive community consultation with landowners. We hope to contribute $75,000.
So please make a donation when the campaign is launched on 6th June and send the campaign to your friends. You will find it on our Facebook page and on our website.
The detailed plan will be enormously helpful when councils apply for new state government funding.
Contact your local politicians and state and Federal MPs to secure this historic and vital corridor.
Help make this happen.
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