Poised on the brink of a planning revolution, with master plan and DCP looming, little Bangalow awaits its fate like Pearl Pureheart tied to the railway line.
Council has endorsed the Chamber of Commerce and the Progress Association as the local managers of this process but it has also added a group styling itself as the Building Owners and Stakeholders Association.
The name says it all and considering the council planners less than stellar record in protecting the West Byron wetlands from over-development, it is not surprising that this group has elbowed itself onto the stage.
Salivating over the prospects of gentrifying Station Street, pop-up ‘heritage’ car parks and a nice little red-brick mall somewhere close, the boosters have no doubt seen the possibilities of the ‘survey’ put out in the local glossy Heartbeat which does not require a name or address.
As Paul Keating has said, ‘put your money on self-interest, its always trying’ – apparently the spoils in nearby Newrybar are currently being divided.
What does self-styled Bangalow councillor and rock wall enthusiast Sol Ibrahim have to say?
Will he be our Mighty Mouse or join the Oil Can Harrys?
Tom Tabart, Bangalow
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. 
