Northern Rivers Rail Trail workshop aims to boost local business opportunities

Lismore City Council is stepping up efforts to empower local businesses as construction progresses on the Lismore to Bentley section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT).

the Casino to Bentley section, which opens on Saturday, 23 March.

twin perils of overpopulation and rampant competitiveness play almost no part in our daily lives, could be considered our luckiest break of all.

The Roman poet Juvenal once said, “A lucky man is rarer than a white crow,” and while he no doubt made note of this for intended dramatic effect, not to mention from lived experience – seeing he was himself exiled from Rome for upsetting a person with political infuences; Juvenal does touch upon a very elusive facet of luck: that it is not readily granted to all.

As if to somehow counter, and yet fully reinforce the above white crow related comment, Franklin D. Roosevelt once wittily remarked, “I think we consider too much the luck of the early bird and not enough the bad luck of the early worm.” There are just some developments of a tragic or truly ‘unfair’ nature that seem to befall those undeserving of such bestowals.

That said, maybe there is no such thing as luck, perhaps things just randomly ‘play out’, and it is only because we are such a reasonconstruing creature, that is condemned, or stifed in the least, by our refectional capabilities. Quite possibly, the American author Joseph Fink was being more than meanderingly accurate when he once said, “A life does not have to be satisfying or triumphant. A life does not have to mean anything or lead anywhere. A life does not need a direction or a goal. But sometimes a person is lucky enough to have a life with all that anyway.”

Council hosted a workshop this week designed to guide local operators on ways to capitalise on the potential marketing and sales opportunities the trail will provide, through the anticipated surge in tourism.

The 16.3km stretch from Lismore to Bentley has seen signifcant development since its commencement in January, with substantial strides including the removal of railway infrastructure, fnalisation of designs, and completion of approximately 5kms of track.

Council is on track to deliver the Lismore section in late 2024. This section will connect with

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg emphasised the workshop’s signifcance as part of a series designed to equip local businesses with insights into the diverse demographics of Rail Trail users and their preferred visitor experiences.

“In the frst four months, the Tweed section of the Rail Trail attracted more than 70,500 people, smashing expectations of 27,000 people a year,” he said.

With the impending infux of tourists, the council is urging local businesses to gear up for the economic boom and ensure the delivery of top-notch experiences. Simultaneously, the council remains dedicated to leveraging the Rail Trail as a catalyst for economic growth within the community.

Mayor Krieg also hinted at the exciting prospects the Rail Trail holds for the Lismore community.

“The Lismore to Bentley section promises to substantially beneft the entire community by providing a fun and safe accessible pathway for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and people using mobility aids to enjoy and connect to our natural environment, as well as more job opportunities,” he said.

Lismore City Council Manager Destination and Economy Tina Irish echoed the sentiment, calling the Trail a game changer for the region.

“With insights gleaned from the Tweed section’s successful launch, we can maximise our preparation”, she said.

“We know that over 94% of Northern Rivers Rail Trail visitors expressed a desire to return to the trail, we know the most popular days of the week, times of the day and how visitors like to experience the trail.

“We want to share this with our business community to help make the Lismore to Bentley section the best experience it can be so are working on some exciting new business initiatives with our community as part of Lismore’s Rail Trail offerings.”

The Lismore to Bentley leg of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is funded by the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions program and is poised to unlock a wealth of opportunities for local businesses and communities alike.

To stay up to date on the Lismore to Bentley section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail or to enquire about workshops and business development support, go to https://yoursay. lismore.nsw.gov.au/ bentley-lismore-rail-trail

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