THREAD OF the week from the Voice of Byron Facebook group was about what came out of the first Council meeting last Thursday.
Veda Turner posed the question, “Any news on Thursdays Council meeting?” and there was a great response.
Bangalow real estate agent Paul Waters started the ball answering Veda with, “I heard something about a 50% rate hike over the next 4 years – sounds a bit extreme doesn’t it? I wonder where the money will be spent,” he said.
“So much for affordable housing and rents, and I worry about small business trying to pay rent too.”
Tony Martin and Katrina Thurlow agreed, while Gerry Bertoli reckoned there’ll be “more locals selling up and moving to Lennox or Ballina – lower rates and more facilites.
Geoff Bensley agreed with Gerry, with “no rates are as expensive in Ballina Shire. I pay $2600 on a 3 bedroom unit.”
Tim Shanasy said “I heard that the Elements train got the go ahead, regarding the more than 50 meter clearance from sand erosion.”
This made Rosie Lee’s ears prick up: “What does that mean, Tim? As I understand it the 50 year erosion zone is BEHIND the current rail line?
Retired Byron Shire Councillor, Diane Woods, replied to Rosie with, “That was the news we got just before the end of the last term.”
“It has to happen, or else council will not be found ‘fit for the future’ and the amalgamation that was planned (and we prevented) WILL happen.
“Let’s see if the current balance on council has the guts to make the increase, or else they will be responsible for amalgamation in the future.”
I was present at the meeting,
Went a school play rehearsal ,
Some not knowing their lines,
And some acting like Pigs
Congratulations to some of the new councillors and Paul Spooner ,
Who made intelligent comments !
Long way to go in this peculiar little town !