North Coast Northern Rivers Rail Trail Tweed section
Awards
Contact point
The Tweed stage of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail involved the re-development of 24 km of disused rail corridor from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek, creating a shared use rail trail.
User feedback on the world-class asset has been overwhelmingly positive since it opened on 1 March 2023.
The trail passes through several smaller villages, linking these communities and providing a greater sense of connectedness and pride in their region.
The rail trail was expected to attract significant visitor numbers, injecting tourism dollars into the local and regional economy, and providing health and wellbeing outcomes for all users.
Since opening, it has exceeded all expectations with 70,000 people using the trail the first 4 months of operation, more than double the annual forecast of 82,000.
The project has also won several awards including: Best Regional Project in NSW at the 2023 Australian Institute of Project Management Achievement Awards and the Conservation-Landscape category award at the 2023 National Trust Heritage Awards.
Key project facts
- Client: Tweed Shire Council
- 24km of shared pathway between Murwillumbah and Crabbes Creek
- The track comprises 26 bridges, 6.9km of asphalt, 17.4km of gravel and two tunnels
- The 520m long tunnel through the Burringbar Range remains unlit due to the presence of glow worms and endangered micro bats
- Project was funded by the NSW and Australian Government
- Within the first 4 months of operation, 70,000 people used the trail, more than double the annual forecast of 82,000
Our role
NSW Public Works provided input to the concept design, and provided procurement, project management, community consultation, and contract management services for the project.
The 13-month construction period was complex with 2 major flood events proving a significant impact to delivery. Key design elements included the trail surface, floodway crossings, key connection paths, tunnels, heritage considerations, environment and conservation considerations, make safe of bypassed bridges, fencing and signage.
Access was a key consideration across undulating terrain with significant vegetation in a high rainfall area. NSW Public Works collaborated with the community and with the landholders of the 77 properties that run adjacent to the trail. Buy-in was important to deliver a well-received asset and to allow for construction materials to be moved to site via private property.
Project outcomes
On 1 March 2023, the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail was officially opened with a strong turnout of stakeholders, locals, and visitors alike. Within 4 months of the official opening, 70,000 people used the rail trail – more than double the annual forecast presented in the business case.
Delivering this award-winning asset through a multitude of challenges and constraints is a testament to the strong relationships built and nurtured throughout the project between NSW Public Works, Tweed Shire Council and the Head Contractor Hazell Bros.
The result is an asset for the community to enjoy and to attract tourism to the region. The Rail Trail encompasses breath-taking natural environment, a strong sense of community, preservation of NSW heritage along with environmental conservation.
