The Byron Markets are considering applying to Byron Council to permanently move monthly markets to the beachfront Crown reserve at Main and Clarkes Beach.
The Green and Clean Awareness Team are longtime carers and volunteer regenerators of the adjacent dune reserve and we are opposed to this choice of site.
There are a number of issues potentially threatening the dunes and the community need to be fully aware of what is at stake.
We also believe that a major impact (and potential restriction) on shared parkland and beachfront is not just a licensing matter between the applicant and Council and therefore public consideration needs to take place.
The dunes have been worked on by community volunteers for over 17 years repairing damage after sand mining (1935–75).
Recovery has been slow but sure and today we share a beach with attributes comparable to a declared nature reserve.
This natural beauty we enjoy has only a 30m buffer zone away from one of the busiest and most sought-after beachside towns in the country.
The buffer is the lawn space separating the dunes from the built environment where we picnic, walk, play and occasionally congregate with minimal impact and harm. This is where it is intended to put 200 market stalls.
Many people may not know that 30 years ago much smaller markets were removed from the beachfront because of damage to the grassed part of the foreshore reserve.
This area is itself an old dune and thus an inadequate substrate for anything other than light (ie current) use.
We believe this proposal threatens invasion and misuse of the dunes, damage of planting sites and trampling of established and regenerating plant communities.
It also threatens disturbance to wildlife through a range of noise intrusions, broadcast entertainment, vibrations, and vehicle maneuvres, not to mention litter and waste issues such as dunes being used as toilets.
On behalf of the dunes and in respect of the vast support and resources donated by the community to get this far, we ask folk to discuss this issue.
Veda Turner, Teresa Heal, Udo Moerig, Miles Shorten
on behalf of Green and Clean Awareness Team, Byron Bay
Stall holders have for years waited in line to gain their position at the markets, working their way for years to gain better positions. Will they have to start again?
What will happen to the Winter Whales Ocean Swim Classic on the the first Sunday in May?
What will happen with the say the Lighthouse Run,Byron to Bruns Run,BB Triathlon etc ,they all take place from the area east of the Byron Bay Surf Club.
What about the nipper carnivals each Sunday over summer ,they need parking not only for their local family’s but for visiting clubs.
And yes a market say 15 times a year with the thousands of people tramping over this fragile area is not a good idea.Either get them out to Ewingsdale ie William Flick Lane or in the grounds of the Byron Bay Public School.
Even the eastern side of the Industrial Estate should be looked at,the existing business would surely love having throngs of visitors looking at their wares.The train that is supposedly going to run from Byron CBD to the old Becton site could would cut down on car movements.Park and Ride from the old Butler St site.
Think dearly before moving permanently to the beachside area.