Community invited online to talk Rail Trail

29 January 2021

Sessions will give project update and answer questions

Council is inviting the community online to learn about the Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek section of the proposed Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

Construction of the Tweed section of the rail trail is due to begin within months now that all government funding needed to deliver the project has been secured and the corridor has been formally closed as an active railway line.

The online information sessions are designed to update the community on the project’s progress, including legislative changes that have been implemented to enable the project to get off the ground.

Following a presentation on the project, online attendees will be able to ask questions of Council’s Project Director Iain Lonsdale and the NSW Public Works Advisory Project Manager, Alex Manning.

“The information sessions will tell the community what’s been done to date and what is being done now to help all four prospective tenderers prepare their final detailed designs as part of their tender submissions,” Mr Lonsdale said.

The online information sessions will be held on the following dates:

• Session 1, Wednesday 10 February, 3-4pm
• Session 2, Thursday 11 February, 10-11am
• Session 3, Wednesday 17 February, 5.30-6.30pm
• Session 4, Thursday 18 February, 5.30-6.30pm

At the end of each session, attendees will be asked to complete a short feedback form, which will allow them to seek any additional information they require.

A recording of one of the information sessions will be uploaded to the Your Say Tweed webpage, allowing anyone to view it at any time. The webpage also allows the community to ask the project team a question.

Currently Council is providing all prospective tenderers with access to the rail corridor to assess the condition of the infrastructure and sharing the investigative studies and technical reports that were completed in preparation for design and construction.

Detailed designs of the Tweed section of the rail trail will be put forward by the shortlisted tenderers and Council will then evaluate each against the project design criteria, budget and value for money. Once a contract has been awarded the design will be refined if needed and finalised, after which the community will be able to view the final rail trail design.

Following the design and initial construction phase, the community will be able to help shape the look and feel of the rail trail by proposing and prioritising features that could enhance the trail for visitors and residents. Funding would then be sought to undertake those works in partnership with rail trail volunteers.

Funding for the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail has been provided by the Australian Government, under its Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Package Fund, and the NSW Government under its Restart NSW program.

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Caption: Vegetation clearance is taking place along the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.