The consultant’s report by Burchills Engineering Solutions (October 2021) to inform Byron Council on options for the Mullum-to-Bruns cycleway makes the following points (page 29) when summarising Option A (the Rail Trail): ‘…the rail corridor north from Brunswick Heads to Billinudgel is identified as a priority route in the Council’s 10-year Bike Plan. The railway line north of Byron Shire is identified-from Crabbes Creek to Murwillumbah – as now formally closed’ and ‘using the rail corridor will possibly create some further momentum and open possible funding opportunities to further develop a rail trail north to the shire boundary’.
In my view these other ‘opportunities’ should be actively pursued by Byron Council.
Gaining funding to extend the rail trail from Wooyung to Billinudgel immediately opens up the rail trail north for local residents.
Having ridden on rail trails overseas and interstate the advantages for money and tourism coming into the Shire are clear.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
