The Byron Bay Community Association has welcomed a state government announcement that there will not be a bus transit centre built on the Butler Street Reserve.
BBCA general manager Paul Spooner has called on the Byron Shire Council to confirm its ongoing commitment to maintaining Butler Street as the site of the iconic markets.
‘Council now needs to confirm that the Butler Street site is the official ongoing site of the iconic Byron Bay Market,’ Mr Spooner said.
Echonetdaily has contacted the council for comment.
It’s understood the State Government decided not to go ahead with building a bus terminal on the site because of the construction costs involved in building on the site, which was a former tip.
Mr Spooner said now the decision had been made, the safety of market patrons, stallholders and market staff ‘is very important moving forward’.
‘The council needs to be totally transparent about any potential ground issues that need to be addressed at the site to make it safe and usable,’ he said.
‘BBCA calls on council to work with market managers, stallholders and the community to ensure that the Butler Street Reserve is an appropriate site for markets and other low key recreational activities to occur into the future.
‘I believe council needs to commit to ensuring the site is safe and well looked after. It is now evident that no buildings or carparks will be possible to construct on the site due to the massive expense required. It would be better for the site to be dedicated as something like the Butler Street Parklands.’
‘The site is now clearly only suitable as open space for markets or other low key recreational or passive activities.
Mr Spooner also noted that the site is still underutilised, and there is much greater scope for activities to take place on the Reserve.
‘Recognition as a parkland would ensure that council, market managers, stallholders and the wider community embrace the possibilities of revegetating the site for these purposes.
‘This is an opportunity to be embraced by the community and supported by council.
Mr Spooner is calling on council to immediately begin discussions with all interested parties to ensure the best outcome is possible for the markets and those wanting to see the development of the Butler Street Parklands site.
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