Works to set up and prepare for the construction of the Byron Bay Bypass will begin at Butler Street today as Byron Shire Council hands over possession of the bypass construction zone to the appointed project contractors Hazell Bros.
The bypass site, which has been the centre of debate for many years, was this morning (Monday 15 July) the meeting place for a number of passionate planet protectors who have gathered in Butler Street to stop the bypass.
The group camped at the site overnight in very cold conditions in order to be on site to halt work today. ‘We are demanding that Council hear the traditional custodians, marine biologists, councillors and scientists who have stated this bypass is not acceptable,’ said spokesperson Sherrie Yeomans. ‘It is not okay to knowingly kill vulnerable species, displace animals that will not survive, and build a road and bus terminal directly across the road from heritage listed homes.’
Yeomans says that Byron Shire Council announced a climate emergency in October 2018 and took on board the Charter of Human Rights & Responsibilities on the 28th of March this year.
‘They need to take action and stand behind their words!’, she said.
Urgh
If they really hope to achieve anything they’ll need to suck up to our “green” mayor and his cronies.
Good for them, I wish I still I had their hope and their passion. We should all be there. The demise of the Byron we know and love. A Green Council that couldn’t care less about environment, wildlife, koalas and vulnerable species but have a great passion for development!
Dogs are Not well known for protecting endangered species either.
Well done Byron Community Protectors,
I dont suppose they care about the pollution that will (hopefully) no longer blight Jonson st. This long overdue “bypass” has been mooted for 25 years….Blow in Kiddies like these who have no lives trying to cause disrupion anywhere they can, by any means. It looks like a standard grubby mess. At least try to look like you are organised and try to send a real message instead of just a mish mash of rubbish. Or is it just some kiddie robots on school holidays , as it looks like? Do they have council permission? If so its cool. If not, bookem Danno.
Good morning all, I am a long time Byron & surrounds resident, business owner and passionate activist. Many of us were born in Byron, MP’s, studying, musicians, residents, environmentalists etc great to have such a diverse crew standing with us. I’ll take the compliments re not older than 35 years thank you. If you feel this by pass will solved Byron traffic issues I do think your dreaming! Byron Shire has some wonderful options that are happening in the not too distant future that won’t destroy our wetlands and help to give a livable future to our children. Byron Shire need to stand by the Climate Emergency it called in October last year & The Charter of Human Rights & Responsibilities. We have the right to Peacefully protest & will continue to do so until the Byron By Pass is stopped! The time is now to put nature ahead of roads before it’s too late!
These protesters have now been camping out for three weeks in a ‘no camping’, ‘no parking’ zone. It looks like a feral ghetto! Sofas and clothing strewn everywhere, a constant fire blazing. They are intimidating the council workers every morning and therefore holding up the flow of traffic for us local residents, who pay our taxes and council rates, wasting the valuable time and resources of our local police force. Why are these people above the law?
Enough is enough they should be moved on it’s an absolute disgrace!
Guess our Green community minded Counillors can call the cops to get these pesky protesters locked up and let progress continue!
So sad that this is what its come to in our beautiful shire and town, a blockade in Byron Bay to protect forest, wildlife, habitat, heritage and community from the justified forces of progress and self interest. Byron Shire for so many years has been the source of much of the re-evaluation, resistance and renewal that made this place different, remarkable and fascinating – not to mention inspiring, nurturing and protecting. Such a joy to find these passionate planet protectors on our doorstep this morning – we offer you hot tea and warming cake.
just build it.
un-strangle this town
ask residents and visitors alike, they almost all say… build it please before we die in our cars on Johnson street…protest the bloody new hotel next to mercato or in marvell st, but let us all get on to work from south to north
These same types would have resisted anything being built anywhere for the same reasons but are the first to scream for better housing and living conditions for the less fortunate. Where do they think free houndouts come from? Progess is what drives our economies and allows governments the ability to be so generous to the disabled in our community. A bypass is not an extension, it’s a more peacful way of distributing traffic that helps feed our community.
Wonderful to see a group of folks not prepared to contribute to the Sixth Extinction. The Rights of Nature, Human Rights, Species Rights and Ecological Rights underlie the stability of any society. Progress is such an old model lacking holistic vision .
Many thanks to these heartfelt folks.
Meanwhile, Tuesday morning ABC National News is reporting the destruction of Clarkes Beach due to erosion, and extensive quoting from Mayor Richardson about the environmental consequences and catastrophe.
Is this hypocrisy? Should those reponsible for the bypass either call it off right now, today, or resign immediately?
Im not against green at all, and I am an enviro scientist I am a local
This is the truth, all BS aside.
The hold up of the cars entering Byron centre causes tremendous pollution from cars/trucks that stand idling,stop starting.
If a car or truck can continue rather than idle,stop start, there is a reduction in pollution around 70-80%.
Sometimes even us scientists can think we are doing the (best) for ourselves,our family and our town by saying no, no to many new developments because we really believe we are doing whats best and thinking of the future,but in this case better traffic flow would be a blessing for all of us.
. Cheers
Good to see free camping overnight is allowed in Byron Bay again
had to laugh !
Do not recognise any of the protesters in the line-up above ….???? Rent a crowd…blow ins …??? Nor do my kids …!! The improvement in traffic flow is well over due ….total embarrassment this has been for over 35 years..older than most in the photo …who are these People?????
Isn’t it time we moved on from confrontational development? Listen to the protesters; all they want is to save a bit of precious natural environment. Don’t we hear every day about the catastrophic consequences of habitat loss? Some sort of win-win might be a better approach. Seems like a visionary council might pledge to plant 2 trees for every one they destroy.?? Just a thought.