The Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) has been wildly successful, smashing user expectations and bringing business and opportunities to the Tweed Shire. Lismore City Council (LCC) is now looking to leverage similar opportunities for the Lismore to Bentley section which is currently being built while the Casino to Bentley section is set to open on Saturday, 23 March.
The 24 km Tweed section of the NRRT has seen more than 140,000 people use it since its opening on 1 March, 2023 smashing expectations of 27,000 users a year and establishing it as one of the most popular visitor attractions on the Northern Rivers.
Business opportunities
With the 16.3km stretch from Lismore to Bentley section of the NRRT currently under construction, LCC are looking to empower local businesses to take opportunities that the rail trail will provide. Council is on track to deliver the Lismore section in late 2024. This section will connect with the Casino to Bentley section, which opens on Saturday, 23 March.
With the impending influx of tourists, the council is urging local businesses to gear up for the economic boom and ensure the delivery of top-notch experiences. Simultaneously, the council remains dedicated to leveraging the NRRTl as a catalyst for economic growth within the community.
Lismore Council hosted a workshop this week designed to guide local operators on ways to capitalise on the potential marketing and sales opportunities the trail will provide, through the anticipated surge in tourism. Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg emphasised the workshop’s significance as part of a series designed to equip local businesses with insights into the diverse demographics of rail trail users and their preferred visitor experiences.
‘The Lismore to Bentley section promises to substantially benefit the entire community by providing a fun and safe accessible pathway for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and people using mobility aids to enjoy and connect to our natural environment, as well as more job opportunities,’ said Mr Krieg.
Lismore City Council Manager Destination and Economy Tina Irish echoed the sentiment, calling the Trail a game changer for the region.
‘With insights gleaned from the Tweed section’s successful launch, we can maximise our preparation’, she said.
‘We know that over 94 per cent of NRRTl visitors expressed a desire to return to the trail, we know the most popular days of the week, times of the day and how visitors like to experience the trail. We want to share this with our business community to help make the Lismore to Bentley section the best experience it can be so are working on some exciting new business initiatives with our community as part of Lismore’s rail trail offerings.’
The Lismore to Bentley leg of the NRRT is funded by the Australian government’s Building Better Regions program.
To stay up to date on the Lismore to Bentley section of the NRRT or to enquire about workshops and business development support, go to: https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/bentley-lismore-rail-trail.
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. 
