Activating Landcare on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail
Landcare volunteers undertaking ecological restoration along the Casino to Bentley section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail
Capacity building - LEP_23 _033_LLC_BRRVLN-04
The issue
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is transforming old rail line corridors into a trail for bike riding, walking and even horse riding in some sections. The Casino – Bentley section of the trail is located within the Richmond Valley Local Government Area and within the Border Ranges Richmond Valley Landcare’s (BRRVLN) service area.
This 13.4km section opened in 2024 and passes through a diversity of landscapes and plant communities. While the track surface was prepared to a very high standard, the adjacent verge received minimal attention and from a Landcarer’s perspective seemed to be calling for action.
The solution
BRRVLN saw an opportunity to muster Landcare volunteer interest to support better management of the trail verge areas with a vision of combining this high-profile trail with conservation values and native vegetation corridors. Initially, in May 2024 BRRVLN ran a bike-based field day to explore to diversity of vegetation and bring attention to the restoration opportunities along this section of the rail trail. Participants rode the trail, stopping off at key points to discuss habitat values and to do a spot of weeding along the way.
Interest was sparked and just a month later Naughtons Gap Landcare was formed with a vision to undertake environmental works along the Naughtons Gap section of the Rail Trail and extend restoration action to private properties adjacent to the trail and in the surrounding area.
The impact
The group is now in motion with monthly working bees tackling weeds and have already planted over 900 trees, grasses and groundcovers along this section of the Rail Tail in collaboration with, and funding support from Richmond Valley Council and Friends of the Koala and professional bush regeneration mentoring and guidance from Goanna Ecological Pty Ltd.
This group hopes to inspire the formation of other localised Landcare initiatives and community stewardship along the Rail Trail and one day see the trail also as an environmental corridor and an education venue for learning about restoring ecosystems as well as servicing recreational values.