Gearing up for Rail Trail

BUSINESS owners are being invited to learn how to prepare for the opening of the Lismore section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail later this year.

Rowan Lamont from Blue Sky Trails, a consultancy dedicated to trail development and management, will host two workshops for businesses at different stages of their journey at Gordon Pavilion in Lismore on August 28.

He will cover such topics as the types of people who will use the shared pathway, the experiences they will want in the area, how businesses can appeal to them, feasibility and viability.

As well as cafes and bike repair shops, Lamont said businesses that have popped up in other areas where there are rail trails include mobile saunas and services that deliver local produce to people’s accommodation.

“It’s also a springboard to all of the other amazing things in the area,” he said.

Grant Smith, who is co-owner of Two Mates Brewing at South Lismore, is among those attending the event.

“We’re the only piece of infrastructure that actually sits on this section of the rail trail that’s operational,” he said.

“It’s something we’re pretty excited to be a part of with the opportunities it presents.

“There’s certainly a lot of potential.

“That’s something that Lismore and this region has always had.

“We don’t like to talk about it much these days, but this is a very big positive after the 2022 floods, with like-minded people coming together and delivering something really special.”

The first 24km section of the NRRT, from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek, opened in March 2023 and boosted the Tweed economy by more than $3.7 million in its first year, according to an independent Economic Impact Assessment Report commissioned by Tweed Shire Council and the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation.

The second section, from Casino to Bentley, opened a year later.

The 30km section from Bentley to South Lismore is expected to open by the end of 2024.

When complete, the Northern Rivers Rail Trail will cover 132km from Casino to Murwillumbah.

For more information about the workshops, visit https://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/Community/Events-and-venues/Whats-on/NRRT-Business-Ready-Workshop-%E2%80%93-Gordon-Pavilion-28-August-7.30am-%E2%80%93-9am-1