environment & sustainability
Responsible operations, climate action and long-term environmental stewardship
Our vision is to be a leading nature-based tourism experience that enhances community wellbeing, protects and celebrates our unique environment, and demonstrates best-practice sustainability and climate resilience, while aligning with the local values and climate goals of the Northern Rivers region.
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) currently operates across three local government areas: Tweed, Lismore and Richmond Valley. Each of these councils has made strong commitments to climate action, resilience and sustainable development. This plan acknowledges and supports those frameworks.
- Tweed Shire Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and developed an Interim Climate Change Action Plan, outlining 57 emissions reduction and climate adaptation actions.
- Lismore City Council adopted a Climate Resilience Policy in 2020 to guide how Council and community can adapt to climate change and embed resilience into all operations and planning processes.
- Richmond Valley Council prioritises renewable energy, community engagement, energy efficiency, and sustainable development, recognising the vital role local governments play in reducing emissions and building low-carbon, climate-resilient communities.
The NRRT’s approach to environmental management is designed to align with and support these council-led strategies, and contribute to broader state and regional sustainability goals.
Specific actions highlighted for NRRT positive impact efforts
- Habitat Preservation: Avoid the use of artificial lighting in sensitive ecological areas such as the Burringbar Tunnel to maintain natural conditions and minimise disruption to native species.
- Environmental Monitoring: Collaborate with council environmental teams to conduct regular surveys (e.g. glow worm counts, weed management), before and during operations.
- Interpretive Signage: Install informative displays to educate trail users on environmental values, land care, and climate challenges relevant to the region.
- Use of Recycled Materials: Repurpose original rail infrastructure (e.g. timber, metal, signage) into seating, trail markers and installations across the trail network.
- Climate-Resilient Construction: Ensure infrastructure withstands flooding, erosion and intense weather events.
- Passive Amenities: Provide shaded seating, low-water landscaping, and natural trail surfaces that reduce environmental impact and operational demand.
- Active Travel Promotion: Encourage cycling and walking, helping reduce reliance on cars and supporting community health and low-carbon tourism.
- Trailhead Planning: Install e-bike charging stations and investigate secure bike storage at key locations in collaboration with local councils and operators.
- Sustainable Maintenance Practices: Progressively support a transition to low-emission vehicles, tools, and materials for trail upkeep.
- Heritage Preservation: Protect and activate cultural and industrial history through storytelling and re-use of historic materials, aligned with circular economy principles.
- Local Collaboration: Work closely with local artists, Indigenous knowledge holders, and historical societies to reflect community identity and place in interpretive and digital content.
- Village Vitality: Encourage trail-linked village economies to grow sustainably, providing opportunities for local businesses, events, and community development.
- Waste-Free Messaging: Promote ‘leave no trace’ trail visitor behaviour on marketing materials, and install water refill stations to discourage single-use plastics.
- Social Media Education: Use digital channels to communicate environmental initiatives and educate users on responsible behaviour.
- Volunteer Engagement: Encourage participation in various activities including native planting, clean-up days and habitat protection deepening community connection and ownership.
