Recent statements by Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon, in relation to his support for much-needed affordable housing being built along the rail corridor in Mullumbimby seem to be in contradiction to his other recent statements supporting the extension of solar train services from Byron Bay to Mullumbimby. But the state government and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) acknowledge that Byron Shire Council are still supporting a multi-use rail corridor (MURC).
Northern Rivers Rail Ltd (NRRL), along with other railway companies, project consultants and community organisations, all non-government entities, are working together to ensure regular rail services to the Byron and Lismore shires.
The NRRL Board notes that it is possible to have many uses for the land within the railway corridor, including a functioning railway service, a bike/walking path, possibly a separate horse bridle path and even sections of low-rise housing (affordable housing needs public transport) and more car parking as well.
Applications for the Byron Line by the Northern Regional Railway Company (NRRC) and the Lismore Line by Northern Rivers Rail Ltd are currently being considered by TfNSW and UGL Linx, for access, to conduct dilapidation studies. We can then look at costs to fix the Byron and Lismore shires’ sections of the Casino-Murwillumbah railway corridor and find the needed investment for the project.
All the elements must be taken into account when making the decisions that will affect Byron Shire’s sustainability in the very long term. It is crucial that we all be part of the decision-making process that Byron Shire and Lismore Shire must undertake regarding the future of our crucial Northern Rivers railway corridor.
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