READY TO ROLL: Young members of the Casino BMX Club are excited at the idea of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail which would start at Casino and go all the way to Murwillumbah. Samantha Elley

RICHMOND Valley Council says it will support the conversion of the Casino to Murwillumbah line into a rail trail, but only if the trail runs the entire length of the line.

The future of the line is the subject of intense debate, with some arguing the tourism benefits to the region of a rail trail, while others want to see the trains running again, to reverse the lack of public transport in the area.

While the Northern Rivers Rail Trail committee has recently submitted its Expression of Interest to the State Government to convert the old line into a bike/walking trail, the Northern Rivers Railway Action Group is supporting the Greens' effort to get the rail service back.

Richmond Valley Council resolved at its April meeting to offer support for the NRRT Expression of Interest.

"Our support is conditional to the rail trail being the full length of the track and specifically if it starts or ends in Casino," general manager John Walker said.

"It is beautiful country between Casino and Lismore and the rail trail would provide a boom in tourism and be an addition for life in Casino."

Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon recently visited Casino where she boarded a helicopter, funded from her budget allowance, to inspect the railway lines to see what deterioration, if any, has taken place.

"We want to keep roads safe in relation to public transport, so we want the railway lines re-opened and expanded," she said.

"We support bike lanes, but I believe we can have both and shouldn't pose one against the other."

Members of the Casino BMX Club gave their support to the idea of Casino being at the start or end of the rail trail. Dad Darren Anderson has his two young sons in the club - Adam, 12, and Luke, 14 - who love to ride their bikes.

"The rail trail is great as there would be so many health benefits and good for the family," he said.

Club members and brothers Dmitri Nommensen, 13, and Curt, 15, agreed.

"It would be great publicity for Casino and bike riding," Dmitri said.