The Hon Aileen MacDonald OAM MLC rose in the NSW Parliament last week to acknowledge the Northern Rivers Rail Trail and the benefits it brings to the region, particularly the Tweed.

Ms MacDonald told the House the 24km Tweed section of the trail has been a boon to tourism in the region.

“The 24km section of the trail would not have been possible if it hadn’t been for the previous Coalition Government and its $7.8 million cash injection,” Ms MacDonald said.

“Just last month Tweed Shire Council announced the NRRT had already surpassed expectations boosting the Tweed economy by more than $3.7 million in its first year of operation,” she said.

“It’s a classic example of a government with foresight converting the former rail line into a track for hikers and bikers,” she said.

Ms MacDonald said rail trails have become popular attractions around the world and the NRRT is no exception with more than 165,000 users to the Tweed section since the opening, with 80% using a service such as a café, restaurant, bike hire or shuttle service.

“It makes so much sense to respect heritage installations like tunnels, bridges and stations by revitalising them and converting them into commercial hubs like kiosks and bike shops to service rail trail users,” she said.

Ms MacDonald called upon the Minns Labor Government to look beyond its Sydney-centric agenda and follow the Coalition’s lead in boosting funding and services to the regions.