A RAIL trail on the Murwillumbah to Casino rail line which is to be investigated by the State Government would deliver a financial injection to the Tweed, Tweed mayor Barry Longland said.

Cr Longland has welcomed the recent announcement from the Minister for the North Coast, Don Page MP that funding will be made available to investigate the feasibility of the 130km trail for cycling, walking and horse riding.

"A rail trail would bring much-needed economic growth and jobs to the Tweed and the wider region, as well as showcasing our spectacular scenery and promoting a healthy lifestyle through the walking and cycling opportunities it would offer," Cr Longland said.

"It would be a wonderful fit for the Northern Rivers and form a valuable economic, social and physical link between our communities, as well as the very large consumer market of south east Queensland.

"Most importantly, it would preserve the rail corridor by keeping it in public ownership."

It would be a wonderful fit for the Northern Rivers and form a valuable economic, social and physical link between our communities, as well as the very large consumer market of south east Queensland.

In May this year, council resolved to actively support converting the Murwillumbah to Casino rail line to a rail trail.

Since then, Council has also resolved to investigate a pilot project to demonstrate the benefits of the project by constructing a rail trail from the Murwillumbah Railway Station to the Tweed River Art Gallery.

Last Friday, Mr Page announced that the feasibility study would assess the cost and benefits of developing a rail trail on the Murwillumbah to Casino rail line, including identify funding sources.

The trail has also been welcomed by senior tourism and business figures including Southern Cross University tourism lecturer Dr Arianne Reis who said the rail line's picturesque scenery gave it great potential.

The rail line, which has 164 bridges and nine tunnels, was officially closed in 2004.

A State Government feasibility study released in May ruled that the re-instatement of rail services would be unviable at a cost of $900 million.

- Have you given up on rail transport being restored between Casino and Murwillumbah? Is a cycle way the best use of this land? Leave your comments below.