I note his [the mayor’s] reference to the loss of the residents’ car park just left of the roundabout from the railway crossing. Residents are aghast at Byron Council’s secret decision to sell that car park for a really large housing development – plus Council staff are to live there!
People are not happy at all about this, shocked and very disgusted! Authority has been handed to our general manager by Byron councillors, except Duncan Dey, to ‘handle’ the tender process.
This is not a ‘done deal’ and, as residents have not been consulted on this, it needs to be challenged. It’s such a secretive decision – hence the question: why? With no one allowed (except if speaking in public access) to attend Council meetings because the Conference Room (since the 2022 flood!) is too small, residents do not know what is discussed at those meetings!
‘The 2022 flood drainage’ is the vital subject, as has been reported extensively by so many residents. However, Council continue to deny anything needs to be done about it, except for a few areas. The North Byron Flood Risk Management Study, October 2020 states: ‘Ongoing maintenance of the drainage network is important to ensure it is operating with maximum efficiency to reduce risk of blockage or failure… Modification of drainage – installation of new or larger channels or culverts can increase conveyance and help reduce upstream peak flood levels or reduce duration of inundation. ASSESSMENT – existing drainage network is believed to be well below capacity for current development.’ A drainage assessment was undertaken for New City Road in 2018 (Ref 20), and identified a number of issues at this location. The entrance to Marshalls Creek is constricted by rock walls.
This flooding ‘jigsaw’ can be solved.
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. 
