WHILE BYRON Shire Council Election results are not yet finalised, it seems clear that progressive Councillors will enjoy a healthy majority over the next four years.
Simon Richardson walked it in for Mayor, and his Greens party looks to have four Councillors on board.
“The [Byron Shire] community clearly wants more of a green voice on Council, a green spirit to burn bright and smart, green strategic and community focused decision making,” Simon said in his Facebook feed on Sunday.
Country Labor came in next, with Paul Spooner elected and possibly Jan Hackett who was second on the Country Labor ticket.
“Congratulations to Simon Richardson and the Greens, on a big win,” says Paul.
“As we have done for many years now the Labor team will work constructively and positively with the Greens, and we will make sure they deliver on the infrastructure and services this community so vitally needs.”
Our Sustainable Future’s Basil Cameron looks solid for a seat on Council, and the Conservatives’ Alan Hunt has enough votes for Alan to get the “Cr” in front of his name again, as well.
Only one Councillor position remains in doubt. But Community Byron’s Cate Coorey is looking good for that slot, at time of writing. It remains to be seen how the preferences play out for Cate.
All candidates offered heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the Byron Shire voters and to their support teams.
Great news that the Mayor will finally have support from the majority of his Council. Since there has been so much talk about Simon’s Byron Line proposal the last couple of weeks, the huge amount of votes for the Greens, and also Basil Cameron, could be an indication of the huge community support for the proposal! Like Tamara Smith said recently, the community does not want the tracks to be ripped up!
Paul has said No to OUR TRAIN SERVICE! I spoke to Labor people handing How to Vote Sat, & guess what, they WANT TRAINS! They thought the rail corridor had to be ‘saved by the bike track on it’ & the cost would be massive. The amazing issue – they had not researched in-depth that ARUP/RIDER LEVETT BUCKNALL Rail Trail 2014 Prepared for Premier & Cabinet in Confidence – but had [except 1 person looked at the Introduction – definitely not enough], just listened to the so-called ‘facts’ from … shall we ask … ‘certain interests’? Another Group, [except for a couple who know the truth & tried to say, We need trains], quoted the usual ‘Party’ misinformation against our desperately needed decent, convenient, ‘out of the traffic madness’ on the increasing congested roads! People is the link but their repeated call for train services – there message – is just TOSSED IN THE BIN! Will the ‘message’ finally be acknowledged & ADMIT ‘certain interests’ had been ‘dead wrong’! Jillian Spring