February 20, 2026
The decision by Byron Council to rescind the motion from 2023 which supported a Multi-Use Rail Corridor (MURC) between Byron Bay and Mullumbimby, will sadden a large section of our community who need better non-road public transport.
Two directors of local railway company, Northern Rivers Rail Ltd (NRRL), Chris Sheridan and Lydia Kindred, spoke in council’s public access, to try to persuade councillors that having an extended rail service through the Byron (and Lismore) Shires will support the lives of a majority of residents and many of the 2 million visitors to Byron Bay each year.
Unfortunately, 6 councillors voted for the new motion, ignoring the ‘Moving Byron 2022-2042 Report’, which recommends rail as the answer to the growing traffic problems in the Shire; and the Arcadis Report, commissioned by council in 2019, which stated that both rail with trail would provide the best financial outcomes ($1.50 returned for every $1 invested). The ‘world’s first’ Byron Solar Train has an already established 3km service.
Northern Rivers Rail Ltd, who has been working with the Northern Regional Railway Company (NRRC) for almost 5 years, have applied for a rail authorisation to fix the tracks and run trains on our Northern Rivers line, from Lismore and through Byron Shire to Yelgun which, when approved, can override this council decision.
Lydia Kindred states that: “We are convinced that having both a regular, climate friendly, all-weather rail service and the potential of a recreational bike/walking path in the corridor will provide the very best win/win outcomes for our region. We are determined to continue with this project’s 4 stages, the first being from Byron Bay to Mullumbimby”.
“Finding the funds to move forward with this state significant rail project is now our focus. This short-sighted decision by council attempts to counter what we have found through numerous surveys of individuals (over 85%) and businesses (over 90%) that overwhelmingly support regular passenger train services along our 72kms of track”.
“Losing this crucial infrastructure will seriously harm the future sustainability of our region, so we are putting together a package for local investors who see the incredible benefits of rail, for residents, visitors, the environment and our local economies”.
Lydia Kindred
Director/Secretary, Northern Rivers Rail Ltd