IN A BETRAYAL of their environmentally sensitive charter, Byron Shire Council’s Greens voted to forge ahead with the Butler Street Bypass option at the Council meeting yesterday June 22.
The Greens’ chosen version of the Bypass will destroy sensitive wetlands, betraying their environmental ideals in favour of someone’s idea of a playground for the town.
And it will cost more.
Cr Spooner moved that Council fully cost the Butler Street Bypass option before committing to it, because Council was already short of the original $20 million budget for the project.
He was supported by Crs Jan Hackett and Cate Coorey.
In his motion Cr Spooner moved:
- That Council provide an updated estimate for the full construction costs of the proposed Byron Bay bypass;
- That Council provide an estimate for the full construction costs of a roadway within the rail
corridor from Lawson Street to Browning Street Byron Bay; and - That Council identify the available sources of funds to construct the Byron Bay bypass.
To support his motion, Cr Spooner quoted from a letter received by Tamara Smith MP written on behalf of the NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure that said:
“…if Byron Shire Council, the relevant road authority, wishes to propose the construction of a road within a specific section of the rail corridor in the vicinity of Byron Bay, the NSW Government would be happy to consider its proposal in further detail.”
This letter provided confirmation from the NSW Government that the unused rail corridor within Byron Bay could be used as a roadway.
The question now needs to be answered: Why did the Byron Shire Council Greens betray their environmental ideals to pursue a more expensive, less efficient bypass model?
The Byron News’ original editor, the late Reg Wright, often said, “When you are after the reason someone in public office does something, ALWAYS follow the money.”
This article is clearly biased towards getting rid of the rail corridor
Yes follow the money by all means. Big companies making billions out of roads across NSW donate to the main political parties who refuse to service the community with decent public transport. Big companies now run the government and communities are left to suffer.
Byron Greens have betrayed the Brunswick community and now this!! Appalling…..none of it makes sense. Green?….what a joke! Protecting our environment?….clearly they have other things on their minds.
It’s maybe a situation with the Green councillors and mayor that, if you can’t beat them (developers, Crown Lands etc), you join them (and maybe enjoy the kick backs?)!
I agree completely.
As a Green’s member, I’m thoroughly ashamed, confused and gob-smacked as to what reasons or at who’s behest our Green councillors are operating?
Behaving like right-wing and mandate-less Trumpsters is not a good look for these fledgling and still-in-training decision-makers.
Be afraid people… our Paradise is up for sale!!
Sarah, take a look at Richardson’s record; it’s all smiley faces and glad handing. On real issues, he protects and serves corrupt practices and lies to the community.
Thanks Matt for all you’ve done and still do.
I’m beginning to see the light!
Simon is turning away and looking elsewhere for sustenance possibly for the feeding of his delusions of grandeur!
He had me hook, line and sinker!
Shonky Mr ‘photo op’.
We in Bruns are mortified after our 20+ year fight for public land…. He wiped us…. one cold morning in the council chambers!