During his recent podcast for Talking Lismore (Podcasts), Mayor Steve Krieg said the Lismore to Bentley leg of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail will be officially opened on Saturday, December 14.

Mark that date in your diary.

Lismore City Council provided an update on the works completed to date.

Over the past month, construction crews have worked hard to put the final touches on the trail. Works are being completed at Bungabee car park, South Lismore car park (at the Lismore Railway Station) and the shared path connection to Nesbitt Park.

A local South Lismore supplier has repurposed existing railway steel into various artifacts.

First is a commanding Lismore sign at the Lismore Railway Station, which features railway steel from sections of the original line. Seats at the trailhead have been constructed from historic bridge timbers with brackets made from repurposed railway steel, as have horse-hitching rails.

Finally, a 4-metre-long bike rack made from railway steel will be installed for launch.

All five rest areas are now built and feature a shelter, picnic tables, bike racks, and a hitching rail and water trough for horses.

The timber finishes at the crossings are being finalised in the coming weeks before the official launch.

Likewise, external upgrades to the iconic heritage-listed Lismore Railway Station precinct, including new turf and pressure cleaning existing surfaces, will be completed, creating a charming trailhead.

This project has been made possible thanks to funding provided by the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.