Over two months ago Byron Council reached out to its citizens in the north of the Shire asking for suggestions of improvements.
I suggested six proposals. Last week one of the proposals was partly implemented.
I requested that all the safety markings along Warrambool Road and Orana Road (particularly at the roundabout where these two roads intersect) be repainted clearly as they had faded to such a point that, particularly at that roundabout, they were almost invisible resulting in a nearly fatal accident.
The stretch along Warrambool Road to Coomburra Crescent was clearly repainted and then the repainting stopped before reaching the much larger Orana Road and Warrambool Road roundabout. I thought oh, they’ve just stopped because it’s a public holiday on Monday and they will resume on Tuesday but no such luck. Why has this dangerous roundabout not been repainted? It was the reason for my request.
There are still potholes on River Road connecting New Brighton to Ocean Shores, the yellow line denoting no parking is still covered by mud at the corner of Pacific Street and River Street, no curb and guttering in Pacific Street, New Brighton to mitigate flooding, no bicycle track from Redgate Road along New Brighton Sreet to Kolora Way, and no pedestrian crossing from the bike track along Shara Boulevarde across to the sports ground on the corner of Brunswick Valley Way for children to use to reach the sports field.
What’s the point of asking the community (which, after Byron Bay, is the largest contributor of rates) and sending out staff to record their suggestions as was done at Ocean Shores Community Centre, and then doing almost nothing?
On enquiring Council’s response was: ‘We are planning and will implement in the next few months!’ I’ve been requesting the bike path since my grandson was riding a bike aged eight and forbidden to visit me because of the danger. He’s now 18 and drives.
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. 
