Story by Hamish Broome •
THE CASINO to Murwillumbah rail corridor would be “sold off” unless the region commits to a rail trail on the 132 km stretch, chair of Regional Development Australia Northern Rivers and former Ballina MP Don Page has warned.
In a strongly worded statement, Mr Page has slapped down Byron Shire Mayor Simon Richardson’s “uncosted, unfunded, unrealistic” proposal to run a train and a rail trail alongside each other exclusively in Byron Shire.
He said “unrealistic ideas” were only undermining a proposal that has state and federal government support and “spoiling tactics” were threatening “a great opportunity to create jobs and income for our region”.
He also reaffirmed the rail trail as a “top priority” for RDA Northern Rivers, which plays a key role in identifying goals for federal infrastructure funding.
Hisstatement begins as follows:
“Regional Development Australia (RDA) – Northern Rivers has reaffirmed its strong support for the Rail Trail on the Casino to Murwillumbah rail corridor.
“Chair of the RDA Northern Rivers, Don Page said a rail trail would attract valuable tourism to the region, increase employment and improve the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the region and its people.
“The Rail Trail is a low impact, environmentally friendly proposal that will generate many new jobs. It’s a top priority for RDA Northern Rivers” he said.