2024 Letter from the NRRL Chairperson

ByTom Carpenter
NRRL Chairperson Report 2024

Dear Members and Supporters,

This is my first report since being elected as Chairperson of the NRRL at the recent AGM in November 2024. Much of the Chairperson’s position for 2024 was held by Jan Mangleson*. I wish to thank her for all her dedication and hard work as chairperson to help keep things moving forward since the company’s beginnings. Without her, we would not be where we are today. I look forward to working alongside her, and the rest of the NRRL board, as we move ahead to return rail services to the Northern Rivers.

As I have only been in the Chairperson’s position for the later part of 2024, my comments are more from the perspective of that of a board member over the past 12 months. 2024 has been an extremely important year for all the NRRL board, as well as other contributors to the cause, to restore rail services in the region.

To say the least, this past year has been extremely challenging, but also full of hope. It has been almost a year since the results of the degradation study were released by the Northern Regional Railway Company Pty Ltd, which gave us a foundation to develop our business case. Not only did we have to complete this project, but there were numerous other undertakings needing to be fulfilled, before a full operating licence can be granted to run train services. It seems at times like a ever shifting goal posts of requirements, with often last-minute items thrown into the mix of things to complete.

Inevitably setbacks have occurred that have slowed the progress, and coupled with the work often being done by just a handful of people, progress has been slower than otherwise would have been achieved. Hence, we have sought extensions of time to complete the numerous tasks at hand. Despite all this, we have made significant headway, and we are now at a critical point in attaining the licence.

There are many positive aspects regarding our progress so far and we have achieved so much to even get to this point. The big challenge ahead is attaining commitments for funding, even in part. We are examining grants, loans, donations, and the like to get this over the line, but we have very limited time going into January for getting this up!

If you can help in any capacity big or small, it would be greatly appreciated! I cannot express the urgency to get this done in order to ensure our rail infrastructure remains for its intended purposes – operating rail services for the region!

Looking forward to exciting things ahead in 2025.

Phil Mackenzie

*A Note from retiring Chairperson Jan Mangleson.

I am very happy that Phil has taken over as our Chairperson, and look forward to working with him on the Northern Rivers Railway Board during 2025. I also thank our board members and their dedication.

Special Thanks:

  • I would especially like to thank our hardworking, dedicated, and wonderful Executive Secretary Lydia Kindred who has been a leader in the many facetted dealings to get our railway line back and again commence the services it provided the Northern Rivers from 1894 to the line’s closure in 2004.
  • A special thank you to our treasurer, Neil Beech, who has worked tirelessly since day one in keeping our financial reports current.
  • A special thank you as well to our accountant Denise Prentice of W.D. Nicholls and her valued guidance.

Finally, thank you to our members, supporters and the members of the public who are ready to fight with us for this important cause to restore the railway to service the Northern Rivers community and its visitors with sustainable public transport.

Jan Mangleson OAM MAICD