What a surprise, not (!), that a new hydrotherapy pool included as part of the proposed expansion of the Cavanbah sports centre has been rejected by Byron Council.
How wonderful it would be if such a facility were built specifically for use by people recovering from surgeries/injuries and for the older Byron Shire residents to facilitate their ongoing mobility. As one of the latter, I travel to Murwillumbah several times a week to enjoy aqua aerobics classes in a 25-metre pool as well as the hydrotherapy pool for its soothing benefits.
Generally speaking, Tweed Shire seems much more tuned in to the needs of their senior residents. In a past letter to our Council, lamenting the lack of infrastructure generally for Byron Shire residents and suggesting that one of the grants being offered to Council at the time be used to help redress this problem, I received what seemed to me a condescending and insulting response – we seniors already had an annual weekly festival. (Oh, and in Byron, of course, never mind the north of the Shire) Wow! Should I genuflect in gratitude for that one week?
Please Council, pull your finger out, start acknowledging that Byron Shire includes an ageing population of people who have lived here for years and want to continue to do so. It is disheartening to witness the ongoing departure of older friends to adjacent shires that have invested in more facilities and programs for this sector of the community. Those of us fortunate enough to own our homes have paid rates for years, while those of us who have been renters have likewise injected much income into the community. Please assist us to remain in our beloved Byron Shire and start recognising our needs.
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. 
