Reimagine a central Byron space...

Let’s reimagine a space and take it from unloved and unlock it’s potential for community use.

In the heart of the Byron Bay town centre, sits a strip of land that could foster creativty, provide a spot to rest, a place to have fun and become a launching pad for emerging local businesses.

Where is it? It’s the Byron Bay town centre rail corridor.

This central site offers many opportunities and we're keen to start the conversation with residents to reimagine how the unloved rail corridor could connect town. It's a central town asset that has enormous potential to be reimagined whilst at the same time keeping the railway tracks and future proofing the corridor for the return of a rail service. The opportunity is how can we use the space NOW and give people a reason to park out of town and start our Masterplan journey of pedestrianising the centre.

What could we do if we took down the fencing and opened up the green space with parkland, boardwalks and used temporary infill between the tracks to create pathways?

The Byron Bay railway corridor was identified within the Byron Bay Town Centre Masterplan as catalyst site for improvement and pedestrian connectivity. Council has been engaging with relevant government agencies who own and manage the rail corridor and they have been supportive of the Masterplan corridor initiatives.

As a result, a concept design for the space has been created to further develop the community conversation on how the site might function.

It looks at how the corridor can connect the Butler Street Reserve whilst activating the site with infrastructure that could easily be removed if the rail was to return. Plus creating car and bus set down points to give motorists another option instead of parking in town.

A strong element of the concept is the retention of the rail infrastructure and the opportunity for light rail with a drop off point at the southern end, connecting to Bangalow.

With a simple beautification program, it could become a place for run children to run and play. For people to cycle. For entertainment. Provide an educational focus on the wetland corridor and tell the history of the railway line and the important economic and social role it played. And with an area for pop up shops and the creative use of temporary structures, the site could support emerging local businesses and employment.

Whilst not a Byron Shire Council asset we're keen to hear community feedback on the railway corridor. With a strong voice and concept plan, we can confidentially start the conversation with State Rail and deliver a revitalised space.

Let’s start to build a picture and unlock the community potential at the railway corridor.



What do you think?





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Purpose of collection: To help inform the concept design and potential uses for the Byron Bay town centre rail corridor

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