When choosing a way forward on the Brunswick Heads holiday parks issue, we’re faced with a tough choice: dig our heels in, possibly prove ourselves legally right and then likely be left with less than what is currently possible. Or, we can drop the need to be right and get more foreshore access, better ramps, and future wins. Welcome to Councillor’s juggling act!  With getting the best outcome for the community front and centre, most of us will soon choose the option that gives us more.

We are negotiating to get at least 3 times wider public access along the foreshore of each park, better and upgraded boat ramps, a carpark and kids playground for the public and the protection of the memorial cypress trees.

We will not satisfy our desire to rally against and halt the state government’s continued land grabs along our coastal areas. Hopefully our state representatives can help us with this. For me, and for the rest of those supporting resolving this issue, we are locals, working on a local problem, searching and soon to gain local benefits.

So, what will we gain?

Ferry Reserve. 

We all want public access along the foreshore and we want it unfettered of tent pegs, sprawling campsites and from feeling we are encroaching on visitors’ set ups. Instead of the required 3 metre setbacks, we will achieve 10 metre setbacks, and in some areas, around 15 metre set backs- 3 to 5 times more than required. This will allow for koala tree planting and a better chance to re-establish a koala corridor. We will also gain a large public space along this foreshore that will allow for playing, hanging out and meeting friends. This too, is not required, but gained due to courageous negotiations.

We want a decent, upgraded public boat launching ramp that has decent parking and doesn’t make the public enter the park and request permission to use it. We will gain this. We will get an upgraded ramp, with plenty of parking and separation from the park.

So- when considering the two main community demands for the Ferry-unfettered public access along the foreshore and a decent, restored and formal boat ramp- we will achieve these.

Massey Greene. 

Like Ferry, we want public access along the foreshore and again, we want it unfettered of tent pegs, sprawling campsites and from feeling we are encroaching on visitors set ups. Instead of the required 3 metre setbacks, we will achieve 10 metre setbacks.  We want Lot 7005 to be for public use. We will achieve this in part, but the gains are better than hoped. Though we won’t get all of this disputed lot for public use, (traditionally used for informal car parking at peak times), we will get a section of it, and in this section, NCHP will create a formal carpark and children playground-both for the public. Thus, though we wont own it, NCHP will provide public uses that saves Council having to pay for and will provide a great public benefit. On balance, I believe this is a reasonable outcome. We will also gain other benefits: a small craft launching ramp will be upgraded and car parking for public use provided. The boat craft that used to block access to the river will be formalised to one side, opening up the Massey Beach once more. Also, the area along the old Tweed st area, next to the Mexican restaurant will finally go back to become a public thoroughfare, landscaped, free of cars and leading directly to the river.

So- when considering the three main community demands for Massey Greene-unfettered public access along the foreshore, a decent, restored and formal boat ramp and public use of Lot 7005- we will achieve most of these.

The Terrace. 

Like Ferry and Massey Greene, we want public access along the foreshore. And we want it unfettered of permanent residents encroachment and from feeling we are encroaching on visitors’ set ups by having to walk through a camp ground to access town or Simpsons creek. We also want the Cypress Pines, planted as memorials to our fallen Brunswick Heads pioneer young men who fell in WW1.

Here, we have some more work to do, but are very close to gaining what we want. We will most likely achieve the 10 metre set back, either along the whole stretch, or the vast majority of it. We will ensure an ecologist report pre-empts any decision as to how best protect the pines, and are hopeful that the proposed 5 protective zone around each cypress pine will help make this happen. We will ensure that more conversations occur between adjacent neighbours, permanent residents, council and NCHP, and an ecologist who will work towards the best way to ensure the sustainability of permanents, and the pines. We can also achieve 10 metre setback- instead of the required 3 metre setbacks.

And finally, being brave enough to negotiate in good faith within the unfair rules of the game before us can gain us all the benefits in Torakina, the Soundshell area, erosion management and creek management and the stretch all the way to the Bowling club, as all these areas are managed by NCHP. Already our ability and courage to negotiate has resulted in the proposed carpark and resultant tree loss at Torakina scrapped. It has also resulted in the proposed and highly unpopular boardwalk new the kids playground scrapped.

The new motion before us moves us closer to a great outcome for the community- including affected neighbours and permanent residents.

Moving forward does not mean we forget or underplay both the struggles endured and injustice suffered. We have been dudded by successive state governments. Both Labor and the Libs/Nats have systematically, deliberately and ruthlessly taken ownership of these areas from council and we have been scrambling to be heard ever since.  I thank all the community members who have fought this fight, for the only reason we are now set to gain more than we would have normally is because we demanded a decent deal solidly and consistently. However, we won’t get everything we deserve. We won’t get our parks back into council hands, we won’t get the old time camping holiday park style back and we won’t ever get acknowledgement of the injustice we suffered.

This is a legacy issue not created by this council, or even the last two councils, but this council finally has the opportunity to get more for the community than is required to be given by the parks operators. This council can establish an ongoing relationship with the operators to bring benefits for not just the parks, but all the river and creek side areas along Brunswick Heads.

THE BYRON LINE

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL ORDINARY MEETING  16 July 2015

No. 1 Matter of Urgency – Dredging works in the Brunswick River Resolved that Council writes to the Minister of Lands and Water, the Hon Niall Blair, seeking a deferment of any dredging works in the Brunswick river until the following questions have been considered and answers provided and that permission to use Council’s boat ramp to launch the dredge vessel will not be granted until support has been gained through Council resolution.

1 Response to “Forum seeks practical ways to reduce carbon emissions”

1.  Seb says:

   June 24, 2015 at 1:58 pm

   I would suggest that a large area of the deforested areas if put under giant bamboo plantation would be a great renewable asset.

   Moso Bamboo grows up to 1 meter per day, a huge carbon sink that can be harvested for building, textiles, bio fuel & pulp and paper goods. It won’t even need to be grown in agricultural areas.

   An amazing opportunity exists to do this – and just as a bonus – consumes a vast quantity of C02, it’s plant food.

THE Bangalow Weir remediation is getting closer with the delivery of donated rocks, whilst design drawings and environmental approvals are finalised.

Byron Shire Council’s infrastructure services director Phil Holloway said the latest concept drawing of the remediation works has also recently been completed.

“In working with the community we are proposing to keep key elements of the Bangalow Weir such as old swimming platform, and use the rocks to reinforce the side walls and create rock pools that support fish habitat,” he said.

Mayor Simon Richardson said the Bangalow Weir has strong heritage, social and environmental values and the local community is understandably very connected and passionate about the site.

“It’s well recorded as being a focal point for Bangalow locals. It’s a place that many have swum, picnicked or even married,” Cr Richardson said.

“The challenge has been how we maintain the cultural and environmental needs of the failing piece of infrastructure to ensure its longevity for many more years for the community to enjoy.

“The concept design encourages locals and visitors to be part of the past and connect with the natural environment. We’re keen to hear what the community thinks.”

Bangalow Weir concept drawing Photo Contributed

Mayor Richardson also thanked Bangalow Parklands for their ongoing support and a local building project for the donated rocks.

“Bangalow has a strong sense of community and it is very rewarding when Council is able to partner with a local group to deliver a positive community outcome,” he said.

Landscape drawings of the proposed works will be on display at a Community Information session held by the Bangalow Parklands Team on Sunday March 22, 2.30-4pm, at All Souls Anglican Church Hall.

The day is also the 90th anniversary of the opening of the Bangalow creek swimming pool.

As well as sharing a giant birthday cake for the weir, the occasion will provide an opportunity for the Bangalow community to be updated on progress regarding repairs to the weir wall and the evolving plans for the bandstand.

Plus, include a slide show of the weir through the ages, and there will be a display of the current Masterplan for the Parklands, including various elements which will emerge over time.

Mr Holloway said once all approvals have been received, Council will source additional grant funding to supplement the $60,000 already allocated to the project.

Byron will be a place where our natural environment continues to flourish and our shire is self-sustaining with global leading waste and water management and with our houses and businesses, towns and villages powered by cooperatively run renewable energy sources.

It will be a place where people are the focus within towns and villages; where we can meet in informal and creative public spaces, surrounded by art and playful areas. A Shire where our development is well planned and well managed. Growth utilises the rail corridor, world’s best design and appropriate focus on maintaining our assets.

It will be a place where the community continues to be active and brash, have integrity, vibrancy and a progressive commitment to caring for each other, our local environment and the planet. It is an inclusive and innovative community, inspired by group of leaders who are actively producing great initiatives and promoting our community with positive influence. It will be a community that is never afraid to say no to development that takes from us and always has the courage to yes to development that adds to us.

It will be a place we are open to sharing our place with the world; where tourism adds to who we are, sitting beside globally significant creative, research, agricultural, innovation and education industries. A place where are our kids can stay and have meaningful and substantial careers or leave and share their expertise gained here with the world.

It will be a place where the Council sets the example for all organisations and businesses, having, at its heart, a 4P bottom line: People, Planet, Purpose and then Profit.

It will be a place where we move sustainability, utilising the rail corridor for park and ride and public transport uses and to connect our towns and villages.

It will achieve all this due to financial sustainability, and a commitment to world’s best practice, risk taking, innovation, creativity.

This vision of what we are creating in Byron is underpinned by a spirit filled with wonder, humility and respect for each other, our place and our world.

← Byron Echo, Local News | December 16, 2014 | by Hans Lovejoy

The cost to establish a privately owned diesel rail shuttle service from Byron Bay’s Arts and Industry Estate into town has put the credibility of a $2m government-funded rail study into question.

At around $300,000 per kilometre, the 3.4 km railway project planned by the North Byron Beach Resort will come in just under $1m, according to manager Jeremy Holmes.

He told The Echo that only one in seven sleepers need replacing, along with repairs to the Belongil Creek bridge, platform construction and upgrades to level crossings at Kendall and Shirley Streets. And a 100-seater two-car currently being restored is, ‘Technically not light rail, but is regarded as lighter than normal rail,’ he said. Ongoing costs would be subsidised by a passenger fare in the order of $3 for a one-way journey, according to the resort’s website.

No government analysis

So what does the 2013 government-funded Casino to Murwillumbah Transport Study say about railcar shuttle costings and viability?

While no detailed analysis of light rail or rail shuttle was undertaken, consultants Arup claimed that the estimated construction cost to ‘reinstate rail line to a level suitable for XPT services’ from Mullumbimby to Byron Bay would be $202,326,700.

Light rail and rail shuttle costings were not analysed, according to the report, because, ‘It has also been recognised that a rail commuter service (either light or heavy rail) would not be viable without a significant level of ongoing government subsidy’ [page 8]. Additionally the report concluded, ‘Light rail provides fewer transport benefits than heavy rail’ [page 67].

But those comments are at odds with findings from a 2004 Tweed Shire Council study which compared XPT (heavy rail) and railcar shuttle. Included in the Arup report, it claimed railcar shuttle could be ‘implemented with little or no impact to current main line services.’

Overall, the Tweed Council report found it provides a ‘good rail service at frequencies that are relevant to customers’, despite the assets ‘being in poor condition’.

The Echo asked MP Don Page (Nationals) if he was concerned with the lack of costing analysis for rail shuttle in the rail report, and whether it could result in skewing poor public transport outcomes.

He replied that the section of rail between town and the North Byron Resort is in fairly good shape.

‘It’s much better than in other places including through the Tyagarah area, which is in very bad shape.

‘The costings in the transport study were only one factor which led to the conclusion that any combination of trains, regardless of cost, would not meet the public transport needs of the northern rivers region.

‘Rail not being able to serve two of the three largest populated centres (Ballina and Tweed) was a major reason trains were ruled out, as was likely patronage levels.

‘The original transport study was not skewed towards a rail trail. The rail trail proposal was subject to a separate study later on which said if trains aren’t viable at this point in time, rail trail is a good option.’

Byron Council’s position

And with the most recent government-funded rail trail study supporting the removal of the tracks, what is Byron Shire Council’s position?

At the October 9, 2014 Council meeting, Cr Ibrahim put forward a contentious motion that saw Council writing to minister Don Page ‘fully supporting’ the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) project, despite it being far from united; the vote was 5–4.

But the motion also says, ‘In the preparation of the concept plan and design for the rail trail, considerations of multiple uses such as that already approved for the North Beach development [should] be incorporated.’

Investment

Cr Ibrahim told The Echo the motion was about ‘securing regional investment’, referring to the promise of $75m from the government and the recent rail trail study.

‘I had it on good advice that the northern rivers was in a good position to secure a massive investment in regional tourism, the precise sort of tourism that our own strategy is aiming for.

‘I campaigned for the rail trail and many people I spoke to during the campaign told me that the rail trail was a no- brainer, and that trains would never come back for the simple reason that hardly anyone would catch them.

‘It was time for a resolution just about the rail trail so we could join our [Council] neighbours in supporting the project.’

No accurate information

But mayor Simon Richardson told The Echo that, ‘The whole rail corridor debate has been underpinned by a lack of accurate information and a lack of goodwill from protagonists to find a solution for the good of all the community.’

‘When thinking about the most important piece of infrastructure we have in the shire, isn’t it rational to do our due diligence and look at all the options, cost and design them, and then choose the best option?

‘I applaud the efforts of NRRT to turn a disused piece of infrastructure into something that may be used by ten per cent of residents and ten per cent of visitors. Ten per cent is better than zero per cent. But is that the best Byron can get?

‘Shouldn’t we expect that costings be provided about services that may be used by the other 90 per cent?’

‘With some of the TOOT leadership not wanting to have a trackless transport service costed even if it meant a light rail service would be costed also, and the NRRT leadership not wanting their stated belief of a rail-based service alongside a rail trail to be costed either, the opportunity to get out of the trenches and to shake hands rather than fists, for the good of all the community, has been lost.’

The mayor added the only winners would be the state government, as they could ‘finally kill the albatross of broken public transport promises that has been hanging around their necks.’