Byron Bay locals have slammed Byron Shire Council’s Interim Beach Access Stabilisation (IBAS) works in the aftermath of Saturday’s massive storm event which thrashed the Bay.
Coastal Management studies student and concerned local resident Lucy Ashley described the severely damaged rock wall as “buggered” after being rammed through by the “gang of five pro-rock wall councillors” just months ago.
“This (now buggered) rock wall at Belongil is in tatters, with bits of shredded plastic all over the place and posing a huge hazard to marine and bird life,” she said.
“There are boulders strewn along the beach posing a danger to swimmers and surfers, and the beach is completely stuffed. This work cost Byron ratepayers $1 million and the three adjacent landowners about $100,000 each.”
Ms Ashley says the community didn’t want it and the same five councillors now want to construct a 1.1 kilometre wall in the same Belongil location at a cost of around $14 million.
“Look at the mess we are now left with. If this wasn’t nature giving us her view on the flawed Coastal Zone Management Plan that’s currently on exhibition (the ‘build-a-big-rock-wall’ plan) then I don’t know what is,” she added.
Byron Shire Mayor Simon Richardson and Deputy Mayor Paul Spooner have also noted the storm damage, both posting images in their social media accounts.
They aren’t on their own. Many locals have done the same, posting images from storm-affected around the Shire. Local surfing judge Nick “Zippy” Pearson’s image shows severe damage sustained to the beach at Broken Head.
Ms Ashley urged Bay residents to submit their reservations to Council as a matter of urgency.
“If you feel strongly about the proposed Coastal Zone Management Plan you need to make a submission to Council by 14 June, 2016. You still have 8 days. It only has to be a few sentences – but have your say!”
