Along with over 20,000 locals I would like answers from Tweed Shire Council, and the state government, to the following questions we have continuously raised for some years now.
As a landholder adjacent to the rail trail, and having spoken with all of the neighbouring property owners between Crabbes Creek and Dunbible, we are in full agreement that we were not reasonably consulted, and do not share Tweed Councils enthusiasm for the rail trail.
How has it been possible, when at times the rail corridor has been closed owing to tick quarantine, that the bike riders feel that closure does not include them?
Biosecurity is a really serious issue because it can destroy a farmer’s livelihood. It can destroy him financially… but this is of no concern to those pressing for their world-class rail trail!
So how will an increase in theft be handled? How will privacy be kept for the trackside houses? How are the numerous creeks, now muddy waterholes, be restored to bring the platypus who recently lived there back? How will the glowworms be restored to the Stokers tunnel? What about the total lack of toilet facilities? Does Council expect the bike riders to creep under our fences to attend to a call from nature?
If rail trails bring in such huge financial returns, why do they expect we ratepayers to contribute $400k/year for maintenance? Why wouldn’t our Council listen to the people?
I could go on and on, but print space limits me!
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. 
