While we recognise that The Echo has a responsibility to report local concerns, we would ask that you stick to known facts in doing so.
West Byron Project representatives have written directly to you in the past and clearly stated that the Byron Residents’ Group’s use of a figure of 1,100 or more dwellings proposed for West Byron is a figure that they have made up. The West Byron rezoning proposal does not contain a request for such a figure, nor is this figure considered to be likely.
The BRG has repeatedly misrepresented basic facts on many issues. We have written to them on several occasions to point out where they are in error and, for whatever reason, they continue to use incorrect information.
Just some of facts that the BRG chooses to overlook:
- The rezoning application has been developed over five years and been modified to incorporate public feedback received in two public exhibition periods – including from some BRG members who claim that the public has never been consulted.
- The application details 37 per cent of the site to be preserved for environmental management and conservation. Just 11 per cent of the site is proposed to be the medium-density housing the BRG claims will characterise the site.
- Population increases – less than the BRG is bandying about – from West Byron would occur over a twenty-year period.
- The proposal details a visual and acoustic buffer in excess of 11 metres wide along Ewingsdale Road, maintaining the green entry to Byron and appearing nothing like the images the BRG is using to scare people.
Many of these facts will likely come as a complete surprise to people who have been relying on the BRG or The Echo for their information.
Stuart Murray, Project Manager, West Byron Project
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. 
