Imagine being able to park your car and catch a solar-powered electric shuttle bus up to the lighthouse at Byron Bay.
The concept is just one proposal raised in the Cape Byron Visitor Master Plan, which has gone on public display until 27 March.
The proposed plan has been developed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Cape Byron Trust as a way to improve visitor experiences at Cape Byron while protecting the natural environment.
Electric shuttles would alleviate the congestion caused from more than 2,700 car trips to and from the lighthouse each day.
Chair of the Cape Byron Trust, Delta Kay said culture and nature conservation were at the forefront of the plan and people were invited to submit their feedback.
‘The area is home to the heritage listed Cape Byron Lighthouse, one of the most highly visited locations in regional NSW with 1.5 million visitors annually and more than 2800 visitors walking to it daily,’ Ms Kay said.
‘This iconic location is an important recreation area for the local community and visitors, and is a place of spiritual and cultural significance to the Bundjalung of Byron Bay (Arakwal) people,’ she said.
NPWS jointly manages the area with the Arakwal people as members of the Cape Byron Trust and the master plan is required to provide a clear vision to address future challenges and opportunities that tourism presents the Byron community.
‘From the heritage Lighthouse to the endangered ecological communities, this master plan will ensure our unique location is preserved and maintains its close connection with the community,’ Ms Kay said.
‘Due to limited parking availability, solar powered electric shuttle buses are being proposed to alleviate the congestion from the 2700 or so unnecessary car trips made daily to and from the lighthouse.
‘To remove conflicts between walkers and cars, plans also include the completion of the Wategos Beach footpath and the extension of the walking track beyond the boardwalk on Lighthouse Road and the Tallow Ridge walking track link to Tallow Beach Road.
‘Improved walking tracks and lookouts at Little Wategos and the Most Easterly Point of Mainland Australia are important to protect the endangered ecological grassland communities, and to provide for joggers and people enjoying the views and wildlife.
‘Continuing community engagement is essential in order to maintain a haven that allows visitors to experience the unique culture and heritage of Cape Byron through education, outstanding natural spaces and engaging experiences’.
The Cape Byron Preliminary Visitor Masterplan will be on public exhibition from 13 February 2017 and the deadline for submissions is 27 March 2017.
Feedback can be submitted via an online form, by emailing [email protected] or by mail to Cape Byron Trust – Cape Byron Masterplan: PO BOX 127, Byron Bay NSW 2481.
Warning I absolutely agree with Delta Kay’s comments about reducing the number of vehicle movements to the Lighthouse.
But I do have a question for the Cape Byron Visitor Master Planners. Is there an engineer on the committee? Because to solar power a bus travelling up a very steep incline, is a very very very big ask for a solar powered vehicle even with regenerative breaking.
It would be much better if people actually discussed the practical elements of what they’re discussing rather than putting out very expensive ideas, with presumably not much thought.
I hope I’m wrong. I hope there is an engineer on the committee who has worked out how this might work.
A better bet in the short term would be to ban cars with less then three people or the disabled, aged or children in them, and instead encourage them to hire an Electric Bicycle which are available $45 a day (excellent machines – I have no commercial link with the company), being hired out next to the entrance to the First Sun Caravan Park.
Good luck.
Jim Beatson, Byron Bay
Jim – yes there were engineers and transport experts on the team. Modern bus technologies and electric engines are available and can easily cope with the steep grades of the Cape with a fleet of buses and a solar charging station – its all said in the Master Plan – it is exciting to have such technology planned for Byron Bay. It has been costed and is feasible.
Sue walker Area Manager Cape Byron Trust
My mother bless her soul she is gone now, once had an old cook book that had a great recipe for rabbit stew and the recipe began “First catch your rabbit”
Well this trip to the Lighouse begins just like that “First park your car”.
And where are you going to park your car if this solar-generated bus is a success. There will be no parking places. And how much are parking places in Byron, $3 an hour or $4 an hour or higher since Byron Council has to raise rates or to raise parking fees.
I cannot believe it – a suggestion in the Byron Shire to put in a bus service. Or is someone still putting together a proposal for a rack railway to the top of the Cape? But why not go really Green and traditional and have goat puled sulkies. No TOOTS and PETA I am not being serious in any of this.
Jim
yes there were engineers and transport experts in the team that fully investigated the solar powered vehicles. Modern bus engine technologies and pure electric engines are available and can go up the steep incline to the Lighthouse. Its exciting that Byron Bay can plan to have such modern technology. The financial feasibility has also been investigated – it is all possible. Thank you Sue Walker Area Manager Cape Byron Trust