I have no issue with someone capitalising on their investment, providing it doesn’t have a negative effect on others (the greater community). I believe without question the mega development planned for West Byron will do have exactly that..
Traffic: estimated increase of 3,000 to 5,000 more vehicles on Ewingsdale Road, with nowhere to park when they finally arrive in town and increased pollution.
Affordable housing: at $495k to $800k certainly not for low-income earners or benefit recipients.
Jobs (Just Over Broke Slaves): as per usual the majority of work will be taken by Queensland contractors and their employees. Of course when it’s finished they will be eligible for the dole. Actually, this development could be a great opportunity for the NSW Housing Commission to do a bulk deal.
Acid sulphate: almost impossible to prevent release in to Belongil estuary aquatic breeding ground. That’s ok, no-one eats mullet anyway.
Koala habitat: a significant habitat area and koala survival would be affected. There go the Japanese tourists.
We need growth: great theory! How is it going so far? The planet is on the brink of a sixth major extinction, has anyone noticed?
Greedy Byron locals: how dare you? We want to protect, preserve and sustain an environment and lifestyle without sharing it with all those wonderful people from the Gold Coast and beyond.
New owner: A Sydney property developer has just purchased a large proportion of the land for $7 million without zoning approval. This land would be lucky to grow lantana on or support 20 head of cattle. Wink wink, nod nod, say no more.
Allan Yarrington, Byron Bay
In whose interest is West Byron? In the interest of the property/real estate developers. Exclusively.
Seems like you buy a swamp for a song, you get told it’s not suitable to build upon, you spit the dummy and go to the state government and Hey Presto! You’re a millionaire. That’s fair.