26.5 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Byron school parking fees prompt staff complaints

Latest News

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.

Other News

Murwillumbah’s Rebecca Whan recognised for tireless work post 2022 floods

Murwillumbah was severely impacted by the 2022 floods and it was a huge community effort to support, rescue and inspire everyone to move forward. 

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Why Being Seen is Beautiful

There is something profound about being seen. Being accepted and loved for exactly who you are. It’s life changing. It’s simple. It’s transformative. But some people don’t get to experience this. Nearly half of transgender Australians have attempted suicide.That data tells the very real impact of discrimination, stigma and lack of access to gender-affirming surgery. I write this as a woman who was born a woman, who identifies as a woman. I’ll admit, that even in that gender role, that fits within the societal binary, I’ve had my own challenges.

Richmond Valley Rail Trail grand opening

The latest leg of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail opened in style on Saturday, with hundreds of two-wheeled travel enthusiasts spinning along the newly opened 13.4 kilometre section from Casino to Bentley.

Roller derby rocks the Cavanbah Centre

The Red Kennedys have once again dominated the Northern Rivers Revolt Roller Derby Tournament held at the Cavanbah Centre over the weekend of March 16-17.

Wild dog breeding season can increase attacks on domestic dogs

Local Land Services are reminding landowners to be aware of wild dogs as they have received five reports of domestic dogs being attacked and killed by wild dogs in the last two months.

Byron Council is engaged in delicate negotiations with Byron Public School over the question of whether teachers should have to pay for parking in the streets around the school.

Since the introduction of paid parking in Byron, staff at the public school have been given free permits to park, with Council waiving the $110 fee that applies to workers who come from outside the Shire (or $55 for locals).

They were the only workers who were given this exemption, with Council stating that they deserved special treatment.

However, at the beginning of the school year, Council declined to provide the free permits, reportedly telling Byron Public it should ‘never have been given them in the first place’.

They were told to fill out interim parking-permit applications that required teachers to pay the same $110 fee as other workers.

The sudden change brought a hail of protest from teachers and parents at the school, some of whom lashed Council with a string of angry complaints.

One vexed community member wrote to The Echo arguing that ‘most of the teachers at that school already sacrifice considerable driving time and car costs, not being able to live near their work’.

‘What kind of a council does that?’ the writer asked, rhetorically.

The Echo understands that following the complaints mayor Simon Richardson intervened putting a temporary freeze on the plan to get rid of the exemption for teachers.

Staff are now negotiating with the school’s executive to try to figure out a solution that both parties can bear.   

Neither the school nor the Parents and Citizens association was willing to put their heads above the parapet to comment when contacted by The Echo.

However, Council was not so reticent.

‘There is an expectation in the community that Council treats all people equally when it comes to pay parking,’ a Council spokesperson said.

‘Parking regulations apply to everyone.

‘Council, however, acknowledges the difficulties that arise when teachers are trying to comply with parking time limits and are supervising children.

‘Staff are working with the Byron Bay Public School to find a solution to these problems and no decision has been made. While this is happening, teachers and staff continue to use the free permits to park.’


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

2 COMMENTS

  1. I would have thought most schools would have sufficient parking for the staff. It’s generally considered important as teachers carry quite large piles of books to and fro, attend night meetingsI etc. If Byron Public has insufficient space it is perhaps the responsibility of the NSW Department of Ed and they should pay for the permits. It may finally be a way of getting some extra income from the state government.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.