Jo Faith, Newtown
I read with interest that the much discussed solar train, servicing Elements Resort is in the process of being fitted with appropriate technology to run and will also have a back up of electric and diesel power. This is good news and bad news but from the photo displayed in Echonetdaily one can hope that a glimmer of genuine community collective vision develops… if this train does proceed.
A vision that upholds transparency and accountability to the community and ratepayers loaded up with the rising fiscal rate demands.
Underlying all development these days from Sydney to Byron is the imperative need for Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) that focus and articulate the effects of Air pollution and the dire affects that this has on all living species. Furthermore communities and ratepayers must be treated with respect and their concerns honestly addressed in relation to proposed economic demands of the tourist industry, which is devouring large areas of species habitat.
One cannot overlook how narrow the demarcation now is between cities and country. An example of the NSW Government’s bulldozing approach to push ahead with motorways (in this case NorthConnex) revealed a deeply concerned community who participated with the government representatives and were assured that the motorway proposed at the back of their houses would uphold ratified policy and the social contract between public interest and the NSW Government.
Good will and trust in government was destroyed during the development phase. Without further discussion with the concerned public the motorway and development proceeded claiming another 15 metres of land. This placed the motorway smack bang’ close to the back fences of residents.
Here is an example where a truthful EIS should have been submitted. No mention of Air pollution was addressed. Citizens were distraught, amazed and helpless!
In the same breath it is suggested that the Byron community should consider an alternative vision to ‘more roads…more cars…more pollution’…and so on.
Indeed a ‘fit for the 21st century model (for put-upon ratepayers) could be studying overseas modelling that reduces cars into Byron.
Such a vision is in keeping with the history of alternative movements in the shire.
Air monitoring must become an imperative now as the township is at risk of high toxicity. Elements Developers should show good will and advise the community truthfully on the usage of diesel and acknowledge the dangers of diesel particles. A duty of care underlies this development.
A healthy scepticism is advised. The NSW Government is extremely dictatorial and dismissive of public input and civil rights. Council’s representatives should be supported to suggest alternatives and not feel like lapsed Catholics because they don’t follow state dictates.
Finally, I will add the latest scientific information concerning air pollution. This was articulated on the ABC’s Science Show, week-ending December 24, and is offered as a link to researchers who may wish to do deep research.
A link between air pollution and pregnancy has revealed that children who display Attention Deficit Disorder at approximately eight years of age reveal a causal link of brain development and transmission of toxins from the pregnant mother.
Global movements are rising against a tolerance to air pollution. Creative Byron Shire can do the same.
It would be a real tragedy to loose the natural beauty of Byron: it can happen quickly, as Nature Deprivation Syndrome takes a hold of the body politic.
A 2st century vision that reduces intergenerational debt please – it is possible and it is a global responsibility. Give us clean air please!
Jo While yours are legitimate concerns, your letter shows the danger of extrapolating solutions in ine jurisdiction to another quite different area. I note you state that there is a vision for ‘more roads…more cars…more pollution’ in the Byron area – but you do not say who has written or spoken such a vision. It might well describe what has occurred – although point of use pollution is not such a great problem in the area but you will not find those or similar words it any of the Council strategic planning documents nor in the state or council transport documents for the Byron Shire or any of its neighbouring councils. While there is a proposal to put in a short solar powered train, others are calling for the reinstatement of the North Coast rail service, or commuter services or high speed rail (the choice of rail mode changing to suit the writers’ particular perspectives), None of these would be a particularly economical or “green” transport solution . The former in particular would probably lead to an increase in particle emissions as the NSW engines and other rail stock are near the end of their useful life. The high capital and running costs of rail mean in is not an economic way to provide public transport in a semi-rural area and would only add to intergenrational debt. Even with less polluting engines you would have little impact on air pollution and energy use. In a dispersed area like the North Coast the potential transfers from car journeys to a rail service will be quite small, The line only serves 40% of the population and does not serve the growing centres of employment, and of non-car using people, along the Ballina and Tweed Coasts, and does not link to the main external public transport hubs at Coolangatta, Robina and Ballina,. Any rail service would be relatively infrequent and would at best only supplement more frequent bus services, Surveys show that mode of public transport is not the main restraint to transfer from car to public transport but timetabling issues, something that can be addressed much more cheaply and with less pollution by better bus services. . The Northern Rivers and Tweed Shire transport plans outline very clearly the flows of people around the area and propose modest suggestions to reduce car use and car dependence, using more frequent clock-faced timetabled bus services that go where people want to go and serve better those that can’t or do not want to drive, and promoting cycle use, and encouraging car pooling. Some councils like the Lismore and Ballina are supporting better commuter bus services in the region; the “green” local member and Byron Shire do not seem to care enough to do anything practical to improve public transport. By all means encourage our Northern Rivers residents to a greener future, but how about some solutions that are appropriate for the “city of villages” not for the inner west of Sydney.
Excellent and factual comments from Petrus. People are very fixated on a train even though small shuttle buses could better serve our region.
I’m really interested to hear about how this Elements train has going to be solar powered. The Elements website says “A conversion has been priced and it is well suited to our train. Planning is progressing quickly and we hope to be able to share details of the conversion shortly.” Interestingly the site has been saying this for at least the last 12 months. It would be great if they can share their details soon as promised.
The only other railway doing solar work is Indian railways who are trailing solar panels on the roofs of carriages but the solar power will only power the lights and fans (not a/c) in the carriages so I’m intrigued to know how Elements will completely power their train. I suspect this might be slightly exaggerated marketing hype by Elements! Btw is their fancy resort completely solar powered and off the grid? I suspect not…
wow you guys make me laugh.
Rail is the most fuel efficient land transport we can have. Even if it was diesel it would still use less fuel than a bus, not to mention all the diesel vehicles that sit in traffic on Ewingsdale rd polluting the place.
Rail infrastructure is also cheaper to build and maintain than roads.
Jo Faith ‘from Newtown’ and ‘Petrus from Canberra’ have both been writing letters against this train for months, even though people keep trying to tell her that the train is fitted with a clean burning Cummins engine (no soot) and the intention was always to convert it to solar hybrid, making it even more fuel efficient. This train has the best emission standards possible.
This train is IS proceeding. All of the approvals have been met. I suspect the reason the train project didn’t need an EIS is because it is an existing rail corridor, and not a new development.
The train will be here in a matter of months and many locals are looking forward to it. An efficient and reliable public transport option that could one day be extended along the line, getting people into town much more frequently than the buses which just get stuck in the traffic and spew pollution!
I have npt been writing letters criticizing this particular train Angie. My consistent themes have been that this tourist operation should complement and not preclude the rail trail, and that we need better public transport on the North Coast and that is better provided by better bus services than by a return to rail services. Also please note that although I have been living there I am not from Canberra, I am from Byron Bay.