Our councillors are supposed to advocate for the area, being responsible for services to meet local needs.
There has been little or no evidence that showed where community engagement has led the councillors rescinding Resolution 23-387 (Part 3 of the August 24, 2023) that supported a ‘multi-use’ (rail with trail) corridor between Byron Bay and Mullumbimby.
Council noted the significant social and economic success of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) despite the fact that there has been 50 per cent reduction in users and local businesses are up for sale.
Council assumes that preliminary reports would result in significant technical complexity and environmental impacts for a multi-use solution. Regardless of which option is proceeded with and by whom it would result in technical and environmental challenges – but not insurmountable as suggested.
Council will seek funding to progress an ‘on-formation’ rail trail. Considering that most bridge structures are not suitable or height restrictive it’s more likely ‘off-formation’ will be adopted to save costs. Council also seems to forget about its community obligations in relationship to long-term financial risks and ratepayer impact.
The Tweed section of the rail trail does not pay for itself; maintenance costs start at around $7k per kilometre.
The NSW government provided $600,000 to cover the first three years of operation for the Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek section, this was exhausted in the first 12 months.
There are also negative externalities costs that are things like injuries / accidents that need to be accounted for.
The trail would be isolated, an opening for biodiversity impacts as well as trespassing and prove a challenge for any emergency response. Who wins?
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. 
