Lismore City Council has received $2.5million in funding from the Federal and NSW governments to build a 1.1km Rainbow Road Walking Track in Nimbin.
The walking track will complement existing infrastructure, linking to Nimbin’s iconic main street, which features heritage murals and colourful street life.
The project centre’s around Nimbin’s vision to be a “high quality, nature-based tourism destination”.
Lismore City Council Mayor, Vanessa Ekins (pictured, second from right) welcomed the funding and believes the walking trail will deliver an array of positive benefits for the Nimbin community.
“The vision and work for this walking trail has been an on-going project for almost 20 years. It will link the many attractions in Nimbin has to offer to deliver a fantastic experience for tourists,” she said.
“The track will offer visitors the beautiful scenery of the Nimbin village, plus spectacular views of the surrounding countryside as it winds through rehabilitated bushland and to the doorstep of popular tourist destinations.
“This project will also make a big difference locally, creating opportunities to increase tourism, employment and economic recovery, as well as building community cohesion.”
The walk is funded under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package, which is co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments for bushfire recovery, response, and preparedness in NSW.
Council also received $660,153 to build a 2km concrete walking trail along the Wilson River, as well as repair the closed trail through Rotary Park in Lismore.
The Wilson River trail will connect Riverside Park and Albert Park, allowing locals and tourist to enjoy the Wilson River precinct.
There will also be a redevelopment of the closed walking trail through the Rotary Park Dry Rainforest, which was closed late last year for safety reasons. It will include a raised platform to significantly improve accessibility and education about the Big Scrub rainforest.
“Both walking trails will deliver fantastic experiences for locals and tourists who can use it to exercise and connect with our creeks and river. It will also feature environmental and cultural signage to help educate people as they enjoy the walk,” Mayor Ekins said.
“These projects will make a big difference locally, creating opportunities to increase tourism, employment and economic recovery, as well as building community cohesion and making us more resilient in times of crisis.”
Construction of the Wilson Walking Track will commence at the end of this year and be completed early 2022.
The projects are funded under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package, co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments for bushfire recovery, response, and preparedness in NSW.
