Lismore residents have been divided by a few issues in the last four years, such as the detention basins and the illegal Pine Street squatters.

Another controversial issue is the return of trains to the Lismore LGA. The last XPT left Lismore railway station in May 2004.

In October 2020, NSW legislation was changed so the existing rail tracks could be removed between Casino and Murwillumbah and the Rail Trail could be built. Northern Rivers Rail Limited was formed as a not-for-profit public company, limited by guarantee. The company has a goal of reinstating railway lines between Casino and Murwillumbah.

During the last Lismore City Council meeting, Cr Harper Dalton-Earls put forward a motion where Council would write letters of in-principal support for Northern Rivers Rail Limited to support the introduction of a low emissions solar train service within the rail corridor between Lismore and Booyong, alongside the existing rail trail for the increased benefits of residents, businesses, and visitors to the Northern Rivers region, while providing vital enhanced public transport options and connectivity between the Northern Rivers.

Cr Dalton-Earls wanted to make it clear, after receiving feedback from Rail Trail supporters, that this motion would not stop the progress of the Rail Trail.

Cr Knight-Smith said she used to catch the XPT when it ran, and it was usually quite empty. "I remember a few times when I was literally the only one in the carriage that was there. But I am a supporter of trains.

"I feel like maybe right now isn't the right time for this motion, given that the Rail Trail has a grant in process, and we do not want to jeopardise that."

Cr Battista said that Stage Four of the Gold Coast Light Rail was going to cost $7.6 billion (This has now been cancelled).

"Are you insane? Like, you can't be really serious about this. We have to say, no, stop it, stop it. Council position is to have a rail trail for tourism reasons, on a disused train route, because it doesn't even make sense for transport.

"If you really want to build a fast train between Casino, Lismore and Ballina, I would agree with that. But to revive a line which is dead and buried, we need to retake it and use it for something else, which we have shown that between Lismore and Casino is actually working. It provides a tourist facility. It provides for people to walk on it, run on it, and bike it.

"We already open up possibility for businesses to actually be established along the route, so that they can use it. What more would you want to do?

Cr Rob agreed with Cr Battista about the cost of building an operational passenger train. He also opposes the Rail Trail because of the cost involved. However, he said that Council's position is to support the Rail Trail, so supporting the return of the trains is in conflict with its current position.

"In every way I look at this, like as much as I support the trains as well, if someone else pays for it and maintains it going forward, similar to the rail trail, I don't think we should be doing this. It's in conflict with our current position."

Cr Waters was in favour of having a dual-purpose transport system, so a Rail Trail and a train, but not at the expense of the Rail Trail grant that has been submitted to extend it from South Lismore to Booyong.

"I think getting vehicles off the road is like a really big thing that we need to do in our region and look to the future, so this provides an opportunity also for removing vehicles off the road, and also the tourism aspects of that as well. So I am in support of a letter in-principal support. However, I do think that we need to probably wait until after we've received notification of the current grant."

Cr Gordon said he was 100% supportive of the Rail Trail and would love to see a train back in Lismore.

"If we can have both, that'd be fantastic. We are committed to a Rail Trail, and I'm 100% committed to that now, because in my heart, I would love a train, but my brain tells me that we're probably never going to see a train again. But if you can find a corporate sponsor that wants to do it and pay for it, and perhaps provide a service at their cost, goodwill to you."

As Mayor Krieg would be writing the letter of support for the return of a train to Lismore on behalf of Lismore City Council , he decided to speak against the motion while admiring the passion and vision of the Northern Rivers Rail Limited.

"I've seen the success of the Rail Trail, the Lismore to Bentley (section), the amazing success story that is already our rail trail. I'd love to see that continue, because I know we've got not only a hope, but actually an opportunity to develop that and to grow that and to expand that, while we are sitting here. We don't have to wait 30, 50 or 100 years to potentially bring a train back. This could happen in our term of Council. And that is exciting to me."

In his right of reply, Cr Dalton-Earls said his motion was about supporting our community and their aspirations.

"As I said, it might not happen in my lifetime. I'm not going to say it will definitely never happen, but I want to support the proposition of both, and I also want to get us to a point where we don't have the Rail Trail people fighting the rail people, and we can provide some kind of clarity where both groups of people can work together on shared goals and a vision for our region which would only benefit. So, that's why I decided to bring this motion today."

While the vision to have both a Rail Trail and a light rail system operating in harmony from Casino to Murwillumbah was applauded. However, funding both was a sticking point and the reason why councillors voted against it.

The motion was easily defeated 3/8, with Crs Dalton-Earls, Gordon and Waters voting for.

Lismore City Council has its hat firmly on the Rail Trail as its preferred option.