Cleis Pearce, Suffolk Park
I attended the public meeting last Monday April 8 in regard to the West Byron development application. I wish to express my gratitude to the dedicated and passionate speakers who made clear to all present that it is our responsibility to preserve the wetland areas surrounding Belongil Creek.
I have been wondering if it would be possible to buy back this land by setting up a fund contributed to by the millions of tourists who visit the Shire and love it for its special qualities, and by interested locals.
West Byron could be set up in perpetuity as a wildlife sanctuary that was legally binding. This could be a place of learning about the indigenous culture, bush tucker, and the medicine of this country, the particular flora and fauna, how wetlands function in the broader ecosystems of the Shire.
Possibly it could be managed by our local Indigenous custodians assisted by the resources of National Parks and Wildlife as well as by some of the knowledgeable speakers at the meeting last Monday.
Great idea Cleis!