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:

• Byron Shire Councilor Peter Westheimer: Peter will discuss "Byron Shire politics when it comes to the rail corridor. Why a Byron to Bangalow, dual-use rail corridor with trains and cycleway would be great for our kids, our community and for tourism. Keeping alive the Lismore to Yelgun rail corridor options, via Bangalow, Byron Bay and Mullumbimby."
• Wendy Bithell: Founder 'Vision Walks – Eco Tours', winner of the Gold Award in Tourism, Northern Rivers 2023, Wendy will talk about how she currently uses the solar train on some of her tours. How extending the service will have great support from visitors and why trains should be part of the Regenerative Tourism pathway for Byron Shire. 
• Michael Hunter: Owner of 29 Buckleys Rd, now known as the Tyagarah Sanctuary, Michael's development is proposing eco-friendly housing featuring low-cost housing, The property has the Byron to Mullumbimby railway corridor running past it and his plan is to incorporate the ‘Tyagarah Sanctuary Peace Train Station’ which will provide Park and Ride and public transport. 
• Lydia Kindred, NRRL: Will give an update on the Byron Shire Degradation Study between Bangalow and Yelgun, as well as provide an update on the degradation study from Bangalow to Lismore. "This degradation study marks a very important first step in ascertaining the costs of repairing our railway tracks, tunnels and bridges in order to extend a climate friendly daily railway service to the Northern Rivers."

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.