Reviving the Northern Rivers Railway: What it Will Take

Introduction

The Northern Rivers Railway, stretching from Lismore to Yelgun, has been silent for years. But a recent Degradation Study (2024) and Quantity Costing Assessment (2025)—have reignited hopes of restoring t

his vital corridor. Together, they paint a clear picture of what is needed to bring trains back to the region.

🔍 How Was the Railway Assessed?

The Degradation Study involved a seven-month on-site inspection of the 72 km corridor. Engineers and rail experts used:

- Drone surveys for inaccessible areas

- Mapping tools to assess flood risks

- Track clearing to expose infrastructure

- Visual and structural inspections of bridges, tunnels, and stations

The corridor was divided into four key sections:

• Lismore to Bangalow (33.7 km)

• Bangalow to Byron Bay (12.9 km)

• Byron Bay to Mullumbimby (15.6 km)

• Mullumbimby to Yelgun (9.7 km)

Each section was evaluated for track condition, bridge integrity, ballast quality, sleeper types, and level crossings.

The assessment involved qualified track inspectors and engineers, including specialist bridge engineers.

🛠️ What Needs Fixing?

Track & Sleepers

- Concrete sleepers preferred (Level 3 standard)

- Steel sleepers used where concrete is not viable

- All fastenings to be replaced

Ballast

- New ballast required under tracks

- Cleaned ballast may be reused above base layers

Bridges

- 80% require full replacement

- New designs include steel viaducts and prefab concrete spans

- All bridges must support 22-tonne axle loads and 110 km/h speeds

Level Crossings

- All crossings to be rebuilt

- Public crossings: flashing lights or boom gates

- Private crossings: static signage

Stations

- Lismore, Bangalow, Byron Bay, Mullumbimby to be refurbished

- New station proposed at Yelgun, near Byron Bay Parklands

Tunnels

- All tunnels in good condition

- Require formal engineering inspections

💰 What Will It Cost?

The Quantity Costing Assessment used:

- Historical infrastructure data

- Supplier quotes

- Inflation-adjusted pricing to 2025

Estimated Costs

Track restoration (per km): $433,500 – $785,000

Rail replacement (per metre): $941 – $1,133

Bridge replacement (per metre): $33,265 – $96,336

Level crossings: $56,465 – $1.23M each

Station upgrades: $257,500 – $2.46M

Tunnel inspections: $2,393 – $7,179 each

Ballast: $43 – $83 per m³

Earthworks: $21 – $57 per m³

Total Project Cost

Low estimate: $99.2 million

High estimate: $298 million

Median estimate: $198.6 million

Recommended budget: $135 million plus contingencies

Contingency reserve: $15 million

Scrap value offset: $1.77 million

Further project offsets: $10. 3 million

📆 Restoration Timeline

1. Byron Bay to Mullumbimby – 12 months

2. Bangalow to Byron Bay – 18–24 months

3. Mullumbimby to Yelgun – 24 months

4. Lismore to Bangalow – 24 months

5. Lismore to Casino – future planning

🔮 Looking Ahead

With population growth and tourism booming in the Northern Rivers, the railway could support:

- Local commuter services

- Tourism rail experiences

- Public transport integration (e.g., bus stations)

- New stations and crossing loops

- Centralised train control systems

✅ Final Thoughts

The Northern Rivers Railway is not beyond repair. With strategic investment, community collaboration, and staged implementation, trains could once again connect Lismore to Yelgun—and beyond.