It has been said that Ocean Shores has been left behind in terms of attention and development across the Byron Shire, but this notion is being reframed by locals who see it as a complete advantage these days.
We are not Byron Bay with the international reputation. We are not Brunswick Heads that has been gentrified and smartened up. We are Ocean Shores residents, grateful for the hill that separates us from the southern towns.
So, when the [NSW National Parks and Wildlife] NPWS refuses a proposed boardwalk into the Marshalls Creek Nature Reserve, we respect that without question, understanding the need to prioritise conservation over human-centric propositions.
This small reserve is critical for migratory birds that are under threat globally and drastically diminishing in numbers each year, as well as endangered and critically endangered resident shorebirds who feed and nest here.
If we cannot protect them in the Byron Shire, they are doomed.
What an extraordinary privilege it is to be able to witness one of the greatest migration stories on the planet from our backyard.
Looking to the future doesn’t only mean the next election, let’s think 50 or 100 years ahead.
Do we want to be the place that has a boardwalk like every other east coast community, to invite more cyclists and tourists into this special place?
Or do we want to be the unique community espousing empathy and compassion that stands up for wildlife and protects these incredible animals for perpetuity? We can’t have both in the Marshalls Creek Nature Reserve.
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. 
