Byron Shire Cr Rose Wanchap wrote in a local newspaper recently that the resolution for the permanent second lane into Byron passed with little fanfare in Council on Thursday, 11 December.
The route devised will create a permanent second lane into Byron along Shirley Street (where it starts was not explained), over the rail line to the roundabout, with a left turn lane through the Lawson Street north car park linking to Bay Street beside the swimming pool.
I can say it was with some fanfare as the residents present all groaned, the mayor presented a valid three-minute reply saying that it was short-sighted, without vision and an expensive exercise, given that the master plan is currently being prepared by intelligent humans who have an overarching vision for the town (my words). Also the resolution only passed by a narrow 5- 4 vote.
This was interesting in itself, as Cr ol Ibrahim had just voted for the master plan which was passed 5-4, then immediately voted against this plan by supporting Rose’s ‘road to nowhere’ idea. This was a complete contradiction to sense and sensibility to say the least!
So we now have a two-lane incoming road turning towards the beach and the swimming pool so that the excess carbon monoxide can spread over the pool where children swim and parents gather.
The cars can then keep going on to the end of the surf club and choose whichever of the two roads and roundabouts they would like to circle again, and so round and round they will go with nowhere to park.
The beach access will become a car gridlocked area and will be a futile mundane exercise for all those who are stuck in their cars. It will also enhance the whole aspect of the beach front: bumper to bumper cars.
Truly Rose, I hope you don’t have any more clever ideas for this town. One questions what your ulterior motive might be for this brilliant plan, and with respect to the fanfare; on the voting front, only three other people supported it so yes, there was little fanfare for your road.
Robbie Winter-Blick, Byron Bay
This will be Byron Bay’s Cahill Expressway — an unnecessary major road on our waterfront that we will spend the next 40 years trying to get rid of.
Unbelievably shortsighted.