Paul Jones, Butler Street Community Network Inc.
The statement by the acting Mayor that Byron Shire Council has had no role in the revised location for the bus interchange, stating that Council has had an advocacy role at best, contradicts earlier statements by Council and is therefore capable of misleading readers.
It was Mayor Richardson back in February last year, who informed the community that he and council staff were working with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) on the alternative design for the interchange. It was the Mayor who made a special trip to Sydney together with Byron Shire Staff and Ben Franklin to direct and approve the location of the bus interchange with Transport for NSW, that was confirmed by public statements from both the Mayor and Ben Franklin.
As such Byron Shire Council were consulted and advocated for the bus interchange where it is currently proposed – slap bang in the middle of sensitive state and local heritage conservation areas including listed heritage items and a settled residential area.
When approached by residents for details of their directions to TfNSW Council refused any correspondence. No thanks to Byron Shire Council and please no further misleading statements.