Byron Shire Council is pursuing an unfunded on-formation bike trail, risking significant ratepayer liability for ongoing maintenance, while disregarding advanced plans for a commuter rail service.
The mayor has repeatedly stated they have explored all options related to the Multi-Use Rail Corridor, but have never conferred with Northern Rivers Rail Ltd (NRRL), with Council blocking attempts to utilise the corridor for broader community transit, with their singular focus on tourism-driven bicycle infrastructure.
No community consultation has been done by either Byron or Lismore councils to ascertain whether a single bike path is preferred by their constituents over a combination of a regular rail service and a recreational bike/walking path together.
They have not supported the findings of the Byron Shire Council-commissioned $230,000 Arcadis Report from 2019 that stated the best outcome financially is to have both rail and trail.
An independent survey, just completed by ex-Byron Shire councillor, Cate Coorey, has found virtually the same outcomes (84 per cent) as our NRRL survey, which found that 85 per cent of those surveyed want the return of train services to our region.
NRRL and Northern Regional Railway Company (NRRC), are very advanced at obtaining a licence for the 72 km of rail corridor between Lismore and the border of Byron and Tweed shires. We are at a point of seeking investments and grants to extend the environmentally-friendly train service from the current 3km journey of the world’s first Byron Solar Train.
We strongly suggest that councillors have a duty to represent the collective interests of all residents, and that they are breaching Section 232 of the NSW Local Government Act 1993 by supporting just a single-issue ‘rail trail’ advocacy group.
Despite the recent rejection of their $42 million grant application, councillors continue to push forward with a standalone ‘Rail Trail Masterplan’ rather than a balanced transport exploration strategy. The railway project will provide many jobs and much greater economic and environmental benefits for the region.
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