MIDDLE GROUND candidate in the upcoming Byron Shire Elections, Cr Rose Wanchap, is keen to set the record straight about various attacks on her ability and reputation recently.
“I would really love the opportunity to address some of the accusations being thrown at me,” she said.
Paid Parking, the Fire Breathing Dragon
“It’s a bitter pill to swallow for our businesses in the township of Byron Bay to know they were thrown under the bus to help council meet its budget to be fit for the future but I am hopeful we can mitigate the impact by increasing the parking times which should contain the fines that leave such a nasty burn in the pockets of our visitors.”
The Belongil Rock Wall and the Greens Defector
“I am glad I did not vote along the Greens Party line three years ago when they insisted that Planned Retreat was a policy I should support.
“It meant that council would have to tell 56 homes owners that they needed to remove the protective rock walls from in front of their homes and allow the ocean to reclaim their homes and land.
“I just couldn’t do that, besides putting at risk the whole suburb of Belongil it would have been a catalyst for endless litigation.”
Seniors Living Village
“Our seniors deserve a nice place to live and close to their families.
“It’s a tragedy the planning proposal to build a seniors village here was rejected.
“It would have provided 200 desperately needed living spaces for our elderly in a place that provides gardens and space around them.
I have put my hand up to enter the bear pit again for this very reason.”
Affordable housing – the Byron Bubble
“The highest rents in the state. Our people are paying two-thirds of their wages out in rent and may never have any chance of owning their own home in our shire because “development” is a dirty word.
“The real dirty words are “no development for decades”. Past Green dominated councils have managed to keep out the “riff-raff” working man and his family for decades.
“Lip service to “affordable housing” is just that, spin to secure your vote. With no supply of affordable housing, rents will continue to skyrocket.
“The LEFTies said NO for four years.”
Traffic Jams and Two Lanes Into Town
“If you have been a regular visitor or resident coming into Byron you would know the traffic was always backed up sometimes to the industrial estate.
“Not anymore. I pushed and pulled and kept presenting a request to cut a second lane which has worked like a miracle.
“It is rare now to have any hold ups.”