Our family are regular visitors to Byron Bay and have, for many years, enjoyed the walking track to the lighthouse.
Yesterday (Sunday, 10 September) we walked the track again and were deeply saddened to see the brutalist concrete structure that now serves as a path for the first part of the journey from Wategos.
It simply beggars belief that those in charge of the unique walking track could think it appropriate to introduce a structure as hideous as this to a place of such natural beauty.
Instead of maintaining a humble track that was subservient to the natural environment, a brutal statement of human domination has been displayed. It’s a slash across the beautiful face of coastal Byron and testimony to human insensitivity and stupidity.
A thorough review of the decision-making process should be undertaken to ensure that when issues like this arise all relevant considerations are taken into account – not just economic and engineering ones.
John I remember almost 40 years ago when they turned the goat track into a paved walking path there was residents complaining about the ‘change’ just like yourself is doing today . I have a photo taken of my grandmother with my uncle (just a child) back in circa 1939 with The Matterhorn (Most easterly point of Cape Byron ) in the background, they probably would have loved a safe , stable and easy access to Little Wategos Beach back then .
Me I love the safe and beautiful running or walking path now after spending the past 38 years running around there .
I agree John, I am a little dismayed at why public infrastructure in these iconic locations in Byron cannot be things of beauty. The walking path along the front of Wategos with the treated pine posts and ugly yellow concrete (and no planting to soften it allowing the weeds to continue to grow which periodically need to be nuked with Roundup) was a missed opportunity to create something that complimented and enhanced nature’s beauty. The same is true of the new walkway. It is just too wide, too much concrete, could have been enhanced using stones or similar more organic and textural materials. I do wonder who designs and signs off on these things. I understand the old path needed work and was slippery and a little dangerous. But it just feels like these enhancements could be a little more considered and designed well and empathetically. I hope there will be some planting along the edges to soften the harsh feel of it.