BYRON MAYOR BACKS RAIL TRAIL

BY SARAH WATERS

The Byron section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is likely to be constructed next year - if Council give it the go-ahead next month.

Byron Shire councillors are expected to decide whether to give the rail trail the green light or not at the August 24 council meeting.

There has been much deliberation by Byron Council over whether to turn its old railway corridor, into a bike path that would provide the central link in the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

A multi-use rail corridor, which combines a form of public transport such as a light rail commuter service with a bike path next to it, has been investigated instead.

Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon said he expected Council would resolve to go ahead with the rail trail exclusively at the council meeting.

Council have been waiting on feasibility reports for both rail and rail trail which are due back in August.

“My recommendation will be to be push ahead with Mullumb (Mullumbimby) to Crabbes Creek (where the Tweed section of the rail trail ends) and get that part built first,” Mr Lyon said.

“It’s definitely going to be a split decision - at the last council meeting they were in favour of multi-use rail, which is about having rail with a (bike) trail next to it.

“I support the rail trail because it’s more about the likelihood of getting something up and running.”

The cost to reinstate some sort of rail service in Byron, is estimated to be about $100 million or more.

The hilly and winding geography between

Byron and Bangalow, has also put question marks over the multi-use railway proposal.

If the rail trail, alone, gets approved by Council, Mr Lyon said next year would be a reasonable time frame for construction to start.

“I’ve had conversations with certain members of state government … they’re definitely supportive of the region being an economic driver through tourism, so I expect they’ll be very keen to get the Byron section up and running.

“If we can secure funding quickly, I don’t think it will be a very long time for us to be able to start building one of the sections - but without a shadow of doubt though the one we’ll prioritise first will be Mullum to Crabbes Creek.”

Mr Lyon said eventually he would like to see the entire Byron section - 63kms from Crabbes Creek to Eltham - built.

But he also pointed out his Shire had to find more funding than the other councils due to the length of the Byron section.

Separate trails within the Byron Shire that deviate from the Northern Rivers Rail trail were also being explored.

“We’re also very keen to see Mullumb to Brunswick Heads as a separate trail,” he said.

“I’m also keen to look at Brunswick to Byron along the beach.

“We also know that Ballina Council is keen to join up with the rail trail.”

Recently, Mr Lyon and his family rode the Tweed Section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, which he said was a ‘fantastic’ experience.

The success of the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail was revealed earlier this month with data showing 70,500 people had used the trail since it opened four months ago.

The Richmond Valley section, 13.4km from Bentley to Casino, is under construction and due to open this year.

The Lismore section, 31.8km from Eltham to Bentley is partially funded and in the planning phase.

If the entire Byron section is constructed, the Northern Rivers Rail Trail will stretch 132kms from Murwillumbah to Casino via Byron Bay, Bangalow and Lismore. A railway service may not be completely out of the question either.

Mr Lyon said he still wanted to investigate a multi-use railway service - such as light rail or a tram - from Mullumbimby to Byron as he thinks the straight and flat landscape between the towns would make it a possibility.

He also said it would service three big population centres.

Supporters of a reinstated Byron railway service have argued railway is needed in the Shire to give people in towns, such as Ocean Shores and Billinudgel, a public transport option besides a limited bus service.

They have also stated a rail service, with a bike trail next to it, is a transport model used in Europe and is ‘the future’ of public transport. A business case for a multi-use rail service is also expected to be put forward by representatives of Northern Rivers Rail Ltd at the August Byron Shire council meeting.

BY TIM HOWARD

Tenders for two of the Clarence Valley’s most contentious projects, the Regional Aquatic Centre at Grafton and Yamba’s Treelands Drive Community Centre have been recommended for refusal.

In reports to this week’s Clarence Valley Council meeting staff have recommended refusal of the tender because prices quoted were higher than expected.

Two companies, Ballina-basd Bennett Constructions P/L and Bathurst company

Hines Constructions

P/L tendered for both projects.

Queensland company

Alder Construction

P/L tendered for the Treelands Drive project.

In both cases staff have advised not to invite fresh tenders and delegate authority for the general manager to negotiate with the companies already involved and bring the result of the talks to an extraordinary council meeting.

A vocal opponent of the Treelands Drive proposal, Yamba resident Bob Cairns said he would speak against awarding any tender for that project.

Mr Cairns said GIPA requests to the Department of Regional NSW and council revealed information that cast doubt on the process leading up to the call for tenders.

He said the BLER funding deed signed by council staff stated:

“Any changes to the scope of works requires a written request to the Department and the Department will consider whether to approve the request and make a decision in its sole discretion. No variation is approved unless and until the Department approves the variation in writing.

“The Department has informed in writing five days ago that all documents in relation to variations had been provided.

“It appears requests for changes have not been sought.”

For the Regional Aquatic Centre, one of the tenderers submitted an alternate submission for the aquatic centre, an option to build a Myrtha pool.

It said the Myrtha Pool was a 60 year old proven technology for pool construction based on stainless steel. Their chromium-rich alloy offered both the strength and resistance to chemicals and corrosion needed in a pool environment.

To ensure long life, structural elements like clamps, guides, panels and ducts are securely bolted together – not welded as steel welding can leave the framework susceptible to corrosion. This system was used internationally in FINA compliant competition pools.

There were cost and time advantages to the system, specifically realised in stage 2 of the project, with an anticipated reduction in construction of 11 weeks in the overall project. The report noted the Treelands Drive project was funded through a Bushfire Local Economic Recovery grant of $11.1 million.

Clarence Valley Mayor Ian Tiley was asked for a comment on these items, but did not reply.

The Northern Rivers Times will report on the outcome of these items and other matters from the council meeting in the next issue.