Govt insists Byron Council chose bus interchange site

Confusion and uncertainty still surrounds the location of a proposed transit hub for Byron Bay.

While no costings have been provided, a Transport for NSW spokesperson told The Echo, ‘Transport for NSW has been working with Byron Shire Council on developing a new bus interchange since 2015.’

‘A number of sites were investigated by Transport for NSW as part of initial concept plans for the new bus interchange. Butler Street Reserve was a site chosen by Byron Shire Council as the most suitable location as it fits within the Byron Bay Masterplan.’

Masterplan group not consulted

Yet Chris Hanley from the masterplan leadership group told The Echo, ‘The leadership group and the community members of the master plan group were not consulted on this decision. We had no input into the design or location. This decision was made by Council staff who did not consult with us.’

The issue again highlights tension between staff and councillors, where senior staff have taken an active role in policy decisions instead of implementing Council policy.

Mayor Simon Richardson (Greens) told The Echo that the transit hub location was not set in stone.

‘The use of the term “masterplan” is regrettable in this instance and I will be instructing staff to cease using it to explain every action or decision within Byron Bay.

‘The only connection to the masterplan is that the masterplan illustrated the benefits and desirability of locating the bus interchange on the other side of the tracks from town, hence moving bus movements out of the town centre. The connection to Butler Street reserve was not in the masterplan.’ 

Pushy staff

Meanwhile, a push by council staff to force councillors to decide on plans for a transport hub on Butler Street in only a few days has been deferred until a meeting on Thursday.

According to a November 1 staff memo, infrastructure services director Phil Holloway told councillors, ‘I apologise for the late notice, but owing to the requirement to respond to Sydney Trains by this Friday, I would greatly appreciate your feedback at the close of the extra ordinary meeting tomorrow [Thursday].’

Six options were provided to councillors, with Sydney Trains expressing a preference for Option 1a. Alternative suggestions were also welcome, said Holloway.

Option 1a depicts buses running past Sommerset Street and entering a station located in the northern end of Butler Reserve. Buses would continue back onto Butler Street, creating a road surrounding the Reserve.

Cr Paul Spooner told The Echo that staff’s request to make a major infrastructure decision within a couple of days ‘was bullshit,’ and that the Butler Street interchange plans were not a ‘done deal.’    

‘Whatever the proposal is, the government needs to fit in with the community’s plans,’ he said. ‘The masterplan leadership group should be included. I’m not against a bus station, but these decisions need to be in conjunction with others.

‘Personally, I think we should be looking at options such as the Cavanbah Centre on Ewingsdale Rd. It could be better planning in the long term. 

Cr Spooner continued, ‘The issue of staff pushing councillors on decisions was highlighted at Thursday’s council meeting, where staff were asking us to make a decision on applying for funding for a pool at the Cavanbah Centre. The issue of any future pool needs to be communicated to the masterplan group and community at large. There should be a correct process.’

Foisted by staff

Local state MP for Ballina, Tamara Smith told The Echo, ‘I thought the state government had foisted this project on us and were dictating the location but it has become clear that it’s the other way around!’

‘It seems that in 2015, while the mayor with vision and fortitude was honing the best processes of community consultation we have ever seen in the establishment of the Byron masterplan committee, Council staff asked the government to build a transport hub to be located on Butler Street only; there were no other suggested location options.’

‘It is great that the state government is prepared to build a bus interchange, although it’s not a selfless act as it will benefit Transport for NSW coach services and bring in tourism dollars.

‘We have had a volunteer masterplan committee selflessly giving up thousands of human hours over the past four years to consult the community on the changes to the town, but they have never been presented with this significant expansion of the CBD and the removal of the Byron and Farmers Markets.

‘As was suggested to me recently, surely with the kinds of serious communication breakdowns between community and council staff and councillors over a range of really important changes to our beloved town, a full-time council officer is required to oversee the implementation of the community-driven Byron Bay masterplan.

‘For the GM to say in a recent memo to councillors that removing the markets and replacing them with a bus interchange is in keeping with the objectives of the masterplan shows a distinct lack of respect for the process.

‘There are 20 or so community representives on the masterplan committee – who have never been apprised of the Butler Street reserve plans. 

‘Another great suggestion that I heard recently from someone on the committee is rather than spending $20 to $40million on the Butler Street bypass, why don’t we embrace another brilliant vision of our mayor and create the best park and ride system in the world? That kind of money would deliver it.

Peak traffic levels

‘I was also advised last week by the RMS that Byron Bay’s traffic levels pegged for 2025 have now been reached, and that the bypass in Butler Street will have no impact on reducing car movements in town.’

Comment was also sought from Ben Franklin MLC (Nationals), but he referred The Echo’s questions instead to Transport for NSW. 

The Transport for NSW spokesperson also added that both council and Transport for NSW agreed that ‘Council would undertake community consultation of the project including working with market holders to find a new venue during construction.’