A SHORT WALK FOR HORSES ON THE NORTHERN RIVERS RAIL TRAIL

BY SARAH WATERS

Horse riders in the Tweed are feeling ‘ripped off’ that they only get 2.2kms of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail to ride along.

The Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail stretches from Murwillumbah Railway Station to just past Crabbes Creek Station.

A total of 24km.

The horse-riding zone is restricted between North of Burringbar and Upper Burringbar.

Burringbar rider

Astra Sanday said the picturesque track was lovely for a leisurely stroll, but it didn’t make sense to have a horse trail that was so short.

“No one takes their horse for a 2.2km ride,” Ms Sanday said.

“I have to ride backand-forth to make it worthwhile, but it’s barely worth loading up a float for such a tiny stretch.

“It’s such a shame, because other states allow horses on their trails.”

Tweed Shire Council are currently undertaking a year-long ‘horse-riding trial’ to gauge the equine community’s interest and ‘understand types, sizes and number of horses using the trail.’

The trial requires all horse riders to apply for a permit before they can ride on their designated part of the track.

Ms Sanday said she doesn’t believe the horse-riding trial would accurately capture the amount of interest or horse traffic on the rail trail.

“You might have a permit and ride once or twice a year or you might ride everyday - there’s no one there checking that,” she said.