15 November 2023, 7:00 PM
For those who love the idea of light rail being brought back to Lismore, there is a 'Bringing Back Our Trains' information evening at the Bangalow Bowling Club tomorrow (Thursday) evening at 6pm.
Guest speakers will talk about the importance of extending climate-friendly, regular train services in Byron Shire and the Northern Rivers Railway Corridor with a Q and A. They include:
Earlier this year Interim licenses were issued to 2 local regional railway companies by UGL and signed off by TfNSW (Transport for New South Wales) to assess the tracks from Lismore to Yelgun for a Degradation Study.
This study, currently being conducted by Northern Regional Railway Company Pty Ltd (website Home | NRRC) in partnership with Northern Rivers Rail Ltd, will define the cost of repair and restoration of railway corridor infrastructure to bring regular train services to our Northern Rivers railway corridor.
"The focus is on our railway corridors to provide for our Northern Rivers communities. Much needed, non-road, climate-friendly public transport, for locals and the many visitors we welcome, while allowing for a bike path where appropriate and feasible." said an NRRL spokesperson.
"One of the common themes NRRL hears from community members they chat to is that their teenage children and young people, in general, need more independence through access to better public transport. They see a regular train service as providing this."
As an example, by having access to regular train services young people in Mullumbimby, Bangalow and Lismore will be able to put their bikes and surfboards onboard a train, not possible on a bus, alight with them and head to various venues including their schools, Cavanbah sports field, or the Byron surf beaches."
"We need to keep our precious tracks and extend regular solar train services from Byron Bay throughout Byron Shire on to Yelgun, Lismore and beyond to improve our public transport needs for locals and visitors."
"It is not impossible to return our trains, it is VERY POSSIBLE! Byron Shire has a wonderful world-first, solar train running hourly services, 365 days of the year from Byron Bay to Bayshore Drive already. First stage is, we want to see a similar service extended to Mullumbimby."
The 'Bringing Back Our Trains' information evening is at the Bangalow Bowling Club tomorrow (Thursday) evening at 6pm. You do need to register and can do so here. A donation is appreciated.