Byron Shire Council politics keeps moving slowly, mysteriously and pandemically towards the 4 December election, a bit like the current ‘sand slug’ at Main Beach Byron slowly moving northwards putting sand back on the beach. Nature always embodies and displays, like local politics, constant change. It should temporarily protect Main Beach with more sand. But periodic storm pressures will persist or increase.
New dunal revegetation, with appropriate species, will help as well but a foreshore protection plan is still needed. At stake is keeping open the long-term access to Wategos, the Lighthouse and in fact the whole Cape area.
The erosion line is now only about 50–60 metres away from Lighthouse Road. That’s just one issue amongst many that we as a community, or for those elected onto a new CounciI, will have to grapple with. As a part of the Byron Independents team running for Council I know we have thought hard about what we stand for on issues that are considered important or vital for the long-term future of our microcosm on the planet.
We will support zero emissions, wildlife corridor and riparian revegetation, and moving from overgrazing to regenerative farming. We believe that arts, culture and creative industries are at the core fabric of being a strong, cohesive and innovative community and economy. Public transport, especially bus services, need to be radically overhauled. The completion of a cycleway between Brunswick Heads and Mullumbimby, and the reactivation of the rail corridor from Mullumbimby to Byron, preferably with park-and-ride hubs to improve access to Byron Bay, are high priorities. We are proactive in addressing the housing crisis that is plaguing the Shire and much of Australia.
We aim to make ecological integrity, biodiversity management, climate change adaptation and public safety underpin all our planning decisions.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
