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Byron Shire
July 14, 2026
Letters

Brunswick Heads foreshore lands must be returned for public use

By The Echo

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It’s crunch time for Crown lands: licence agreements for Brunswick Heads caravan parks are up for renewal and Byron Shire Council will be reconsidering holiday park boundaries at Thursday’s meeting (16 July).

The staff report recommends the adoption of council’s previous licence agreements (ATOs) endorsed on 9 August 2012 with minor amendments detailed in subsequent resolutions (see BSC agenda item 13.9).

Council’s resolutions retain disputed foreshore lands for public use and reinstate the foreshore walkway along Simpson’s Creek in Terrace Park.

North Coast Holiday Parks’ (NCHP) recently adopted plans of management (June, 2014) retain extended park boundaries and include all encroached lands within the operational area of the holiday parks.

Council has the authority to determine operating conditions for all commercial activity on Crown lands and park management is well aware of council’s previously endorsed ATOs and preferred boundaries.

Yet NCHP has willfully ignored council’s determinations in plans of managements (POMs) and the recent license application and continues to undertake new works and operate on disputed lands .

There remains ongoing community concern over new works in the parks and the failure of park management to address long-standing compliance issues. BCA compliance reports for The Terrace and Massey Greene parks starkly details the myriad problems. (BSC agenda annexures)

Despite the inclusion of all encroached lands, NCHP has failed to meet regulatory standards.

Council must urgently adopt new ATOs and ensure Park management comply with council’s licence conditions and park regulations.

NCHP retains the option of rejecting the new ATOs and relinquishing the role and control of park management.

Council also retains the right to refuse to renew ATO for non-compliant operators who willfully disregard park rules and regulations.

There can only be one winner in this showdown, and the public has the most to lose if council fails to protect and retain our highly valued foreshore lands for public use.

Michele Grant, convenor
 Foreshore Protection Group

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