Northern Rivers Rail Trail - Lismore to Bentley
| Funding |
Funding has been provided by the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund |
| Department |
Project Delivery / Destination and Economy |
| Status |
Under construction |
| Timeframe |
Ongoing |
| Strategic purpose |
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) is a proposed recreational trail that traverses 132km of diverse and spectacular countryside between Casino and Murwillumbah
|
September 2024 update
Landowners and residents along the Rail Trail attended a project update at Nesbitt Park on Friday 23 August 2024. The face-to-face engagement welcomed 28 attendees, and provided a detailed update from construction contractors Hazell Bros.
Landowners and residents shared their positive stories of working with the contractors, with the sentiment returned from the attending Hazell Bros crew. Lunch was provided, catered by South Lismore businesses, with the event celebrating progress of the project with shared thanks to all involved.
Throughout August, South Lismore businesses received face-to-face updates about the project and planned maintenance for the streetscape to best welcome trail visitors. The project team also made headway with development of interpretive signage following input from historical and Aboriginal groups.
On the ground, construction crews remain focused on completing bridges, road crossings, drainage and rest areas. Two business education workshops were also held in Lismore on Wednesday 28 August 2024 to help operators gain the most from the Rail Trail. The well attended workshops were presented by Blue Sky Trails, and included understanding the benefit for businesses, customer insights and sharing practical tools.
August 2024 update
Lismore’s 16.3km Rail Trail section achieved another milestone this month with 80% of the twenty bridges and ten bypasses now complete.
Lismore City Council is pleased to share the time-lapse construction of Back Creek Bridge Leycester (above), showcasing the progress achieved, moving Lismore closer towards opening its section later this year.
Construction crews continue to focus on bridges, road crossings, drainage and
rest areas.
The project team has welcomed input from community, historical and Aboriginal groups into the development of interpretive signage for the Rail Trail that is currently under development.
Business education workshops were held in Lismore on Wednesday 28 August to help businesses gain the most from the Rail Trail, to understand the opportunities, as well as provide practical advice on how the Rail Trail can transform Lismore and provide greater benefits for local businesses.
About the project
The project will convert the disused railway line which was abandoned in 2004. To be delivered in four stages, the 132km trail is expected to draw thousands of visitors each year to explore and discover the natural beauty of the Northern Rivers.
This 16.3km section will connect the former South Lismore railway station with Bentley via some of the most scenic rural landscapes in the Northern Rivers.
It will follow the route of the former rail line and be constructed in four stages as it passes through the local government areas of Tweed Shire, Byron Shire, Lismore City and Richmond Valley Shire.
Construction on the Lismore to Bentley section commenced in January 2024.
The Tweed section was officially opened in March 2023 with the Casino to Bentley section completed in March 2024.
The trail will be a safe and fun way for locals and visitors alike to explore and connect with the natural beauty of our environment. The project will tap into the rapidly growing hinterland tourism market and create exciting growth opportunities for new and existing businesses that support local jobs.
Find out more
Progress on the rail trail taken in June 2024
Progress on the rail trail taken in March 2024
Progress on the rail trail taken in February 2024
A bridge along the old rail track
Part of the old rail track
