Council close to negotiating licence on rail land in Mullum

Published on 02 August 2024

Council is getting close to signing a licence with the NSW Government to secure the future use of land in the rail corridor on the fringe of Mullumbimby’s central business area.

For several years Council has been negotiating with the NSW Government for approval to use some of the land at the back of Station Street to provide public parking and a new community open space and amenities. 

The land runs along the railway line, between Station Street and Prince Street, and has been flagged as a key area for revitalisation and use in the Mullumbimby Masterplan.

“We have been working with the NSW Government on this since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

"The land was identified in the Mullumbimby Masterplan as having potential for parking and other community uses,” Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon, said.

“The land, which does not include the temporary housing village, is close to the main street and will provide much needed periphery parking for the town.

“Importantly, it is only a short walk from there to all the shops and facilities in the town centre,” Mayor Lyon said.

“If people can park along the existing rail line, I am confident that this will see less cars trawling along Burringbar Street, trying to find the elusive parking spot.

“Securing the land will also be a significant plus for the rail trail in the Byron Shire, boosting our funding application because we will be able to show that we manage what will be one of the key features of the trail – the entrance to Mullumbimby,” Mayor Lyon said.

Negotiations with NSW Government are ongoing, but Council is hopeful the licence will be issued by the end of the year.