I respect the work that Mr Warnes does in advocating for public transport and for his members who work in public transport across NSW. But on the issue of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, he could not be more wrong.
I moved the motion in Byron Council to get a definitive report on whether it was possible to build a rail trail beside the track in the Byron Shire. The report was unequivocal – it is not possible, mainly due to bridges, embankments and tunnels that can’t be bypassed. Trains are not coming back to this line.
This is a clear demonstration that our local Labor team will make decisions in the best interest of our community, not anyone in Sydney. We wholeheartedly support building the rail trail, from end to end, Booyong to Crabbes Creek, and are committed to getting construction started in the next term of Council. I changed Council’s policy to support a rail trail and if I’m mayor, I’ll get it done.