Bruce James, Maleny
As a regular Byron visitor, I wish to congratulate Byron Shire Council on its heritage listing of the major intersection leading to the lighthouse and Clarkes Beach Tourist Park.
One appreciates the effort that Council has made to preserve the many archaeological digs dotting the entire intersection.
I am still using my original hand-drawn map (circa 1972) to navigate my car and caravan through these sites to my (now annual) temporary home in Byron.
And as a bonus, I actually get to use the car’s first gear so we don’t miss any of the sights in these old digs as we lurch through.
My curiosity got the better of me the other day, and I decided to visit the heritage site for a closer look.
After a perusal of the available digs, I decided that Dig 35 (largest by a small margin), looked best to explore. So I lit my torch and climbed down into Dig 35. What a wonder awaited me there!
At a level that I guess approximated the passage of the 1954 cyclone, there was a perfectly preserved FJ Holden hubcap.
Climbing further down, I nearly mistook this old piece of wood for a tree-root. But no, it was a shattered spoke from the wooden wheel of a 1927 Chevrolet.
So what is that special quality in Byron Shire that makes sure that these historic beauties are not lost to both our and future generations?
Is it a special foresight common to the community fathers of Byron?
Or has the Council been stung by losing its previously heritage-listed caravan park.
Terrible things have happened there since those dreaded state government people took over: millions of dollars spent, paved roads, modern toilets, beautiful lookouts, comfortable cabins, and, wait for it, regular cleaning.
No wonder the heritage listing there was lost.
But please Council, don’t let this beautiful intersection be spoiled with modern bitumen, smooth surfaces, or rapid drainage.
By the way, I’m just limping off now to the local wheel repairer with my vehicle. He tells me that he has the best business in town and, I guess, some helping hands in Council.
