04/02/2026
🚶With the Tweed and Richmond Valley sections of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail finished and the section from Lismore to Bentley constructed and operating, attention is now on the Byron Shire.
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail follows the old, 132-kilometre Casino to Murwillumbah rail line which travelled through the heart of the Byron Shire, taking in Mullumbimby, Byron Bay and Bangalow.
Christopher Soulsby, Manager Major Projects, said that since the Council confirmed its commitment to the development of the rail trail in 2023, staff have been working on getting approvals from UGL Regional Linx, the authority that manages and maintains the rail corridor in the Byron Shire for investigation and preliminary works.
“At the same time, Council in partnership with Lismore, have submitted a grant application for $42 million to the Australian Government for the design and construction of the sections of rail trail from Mullumbimby to Crabbes Creek and Lismore to Bexhill,” Mr Soulsby said.
“The application also included a small section of the trail from Bangalow showgrounds to the Bangalow industrial estate.
“We are currently waiting to hear if the grant application, made through the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program, was successful because the project is completely reliant on external funding - Council simply does not have the money to fund this project on our own.
💻Read more on Council's website: https://www.byron.nsw.gov.au/Council/News/Media-releases/Byron-Shire-rail-trail-whats-happening