Michele Grant, Convenor, Foreshore Protection Group
Brunswick Heads Caravan Park boundaries and license conditions are on Byron Shire Council’s agenda this Thursday (25/8).
Agenda Item 13.10 reports on negotiations with NSW Crown Holiday Park Trust (NSWCHPT).
It appears NSWCHPT is again attempting to dictate proposed boundaries rather than accept Byron Council’s authority, as license provider, to exclude areas of ‘encroached’ lands from park operations.
The numerous resolutions made by Council (listed in report 13.10) reiterate Council’s support for prohibiting and/or restricting the use of encroached lands including Lot 7005 in Massy Greene, Ferry foreshore and southern section of Terrace Park.
This may be Council’s last opportunity to retain and protect prime foreshore lands for public use.
Secret negotiations behind closed doors with commercial in confidence minutes and briefing papers does not inspire confidence in the negotiation process or Park Management’s agenda.
The sole focus of NSWCHPT negotiations has been to maximise the financial benefits for NSWCHPT. There is no attempt to balance the economic, social or environmental issues – and no one on the multi-tiered management team appears to represent the public interest.
The Trust has agreed to provide a 3m buffer zone and 10m building setback along Simpson’s Creek in Terrace Park to enable public access along the riverbank. However NSWCHPT has provided no plan or timeframe for implementation and has made no commitment to relocating permanent residents within Terrace Park with minimal disruption and inconvenience.
It can only be assumed the community are to be appeased with the reinstatement of a legally required buffer zone and setback! New POMs make no provision for a foreshore pathway extending along the riverbank. The lack of will and intent demonstrated by NCHP/NSWCHPT over the past decade will ensure the pathway project will languish in some vague distant never-never.
It is urgent and essential the community support Council and insist they stand firm and retain irreplaceable prime public land for public use.
Specific conditions and timeframes must be imposed for any agreed occasional use of adjoining lands
NSWCHPT must provide clear procedures and timeframe for the implementation of the foreshore walkway in Terrace Park
If you have time get along to Council meeting and help protect our public land – precious open recreational space – from inappropriate commercial development.
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