1 Candidate details
Laurie Lynch
Council: Byron Shire
Town/city: Resident of Byron Bay
Number of years in shire/LGA: 23+ years
Current councillor? No
Clubs/sports/interests: Love and have played many sports competitively. Currently member of Lismore Rowing Club, play tennis regularly, formerly member of BB Golf Club. Coached BB Rugby 15 in 2000; have played both codes of rugby at 1st Grade level, also basketball and field hockey. Coached students of swimming, diving and athletics extensively, keen swimmer, ‘Olympophile’.
Are you a member of a political party or an organised ‘ticket’? Not member of a political party, Member of Vision in Action team (ticket)
If yes, which party or who else is on your ticket?: Sol Ibrahim, Rebecca Sargeant, Bradley Wodiske, Michael Murray, Mira Eady
Brief description: Father of three, former (23 yrs) teacher; recently ‘retired’ local businessperson (22 yrs); a past president of chamber of commerce. Active on Byron Bay Bypass Committees since 1993.
2 What has motivated you to stand?
Strongly believe Byron Shire deserves a diverse and competent group of candidates presenting themselves for election. There is a sense of disconnection between the aspirations of residents and those of some of the present councillors. I believe local issues have often been hijacked by national ideology. There is an ineffectiveness of community consultation, particularly in many of the community committees. I have a desire to improve upon the slightly tarnished image of Byron Shire, and the ‘shabby’ image of many of its facilities and infrastructure.
3 What is your vision for the shire/LGA?
To help develop a more positive vision for the future of Byron Shire.To utilise the diverse pool of talent within the community to enhance the social, cultural and sporting aspects of the community as well as the structural quality.
To foster a positive attitude to business and thereby provide more opportunity for employment as well as welcoming new ‘smart’ business enterprise.
To further encourage the villages of the shire to develop their own unique character by positive support from both councillors and council staff.
4 In your opinion, how can council best balance the need for further residential development with the need to preserve the local environment?
Encourage more infilling within existing towns, such as with the granny-flat initiative; identify potential medium-density precincts – these reduce the need for car movements.
Encourage more singles accommodation in new developments.
Examine closely the potential impact versus positive outcomes of future developments such as that proposed at West Byron.
Facilitate the granny-flat initiative in the broader shire.
5 What particular issues do you feel strongly about?
Getting the new sports fields and complex in Byron Bay in full operation as soon as possible, as well as making a serious effort to meet the needs for expansion of sports fields in the north of the shire.
Forcing a better deal for the local library, particularly on accountability for ratepayers’ funds being contributed to Lismore Council for the regional library service.
Action on short-term and long-term projects to alleviate the traffic congestion of Byron Bay and the approaches, which diminish the quality of life not only for Byron Bay residents, but all who have to come and go!
Re-examine the draft LEP, with greater reference to the shire communities to acquaint them with the implications of the proposed changes in zonings and the restrictions potentially imposed.
Negotiate sensible amendments that don’t place impossible restrictions on a ratepayer/landowner use of their property.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
