R Bekker, Binna Burra
I recently attended a Rural Action Group meeting held in Bangalow and hosted by Alli Page – a well-known local real estate agent. The purpose of the meeting was to encourage landholders to lodge submissions to Council against the LEP currently on display.
The agenda appeared designed to arouse outrage and personal concern among the attendees; however much of the information proffered was incorrect and contradictory.
As a landholder whose property is identified as being highly impacted on by the new proposals, I support the state government’s and Byron Council’s attempt to implement strategies to ensure regional biodiversity. The proposed linked pockets of vegetation allowing for the passage of wildlife are identified for protection and often encompass sensitive riparian zones.
The LEP is not retrospective and current land use will be maintained. Areas identified as agriculturally significant will be preserved and currently cleared areas will be able to be maintained to remain so.
I, for one, would be happy to see the shire’s agricultural and environmental amenities preserved for posterity and if this occurs to the disadvantage of some developers, then so be it.
