Thanking you Aslan Shand for the editorial around uninsurable housing consistently being approved on floodplains.
It’s the truth for most of Byron Shire, and is puzzling to hear time and again the Land & so-called Environment Court allowing such developments to be passed.
The next very puzzling question is how can the government ignore legislation as we continue to construct more housing, when Council are unable to fulfil the law around the maintenance of necessary infrastructure?
The neglect Shire-wide of unfit infrastructure is unlawful, according to state and federal legislation.
It clearly states that any development has to have the fit-for-purpose infrastructure prior to any additional development.
It is only natural for insurance companies to look at why damage is caused to properties and look at the history of lack of upgrades and maintenance to existing infrastructure.
I had written a letter to Byron Shire Council general manager regarding these very questionable decisions.
Of course the only response is that the letter had been received, but again, no reply.
How can we continue with this nonsense especially when we are continually told no funding to fix, upgrade, or maintain?
It’s not good enough to not comply with legislation and continue to put at-risk existing homes. This is exactly what is happening Shire-wide.
We need legal representation, but with the continued lack of representation by Tamara Smith MP, we have no hope of getting the best possible solution for us all.
Households are being hit with extreme higher insurance premiums, and many can’t afford to insure against flooding. Insurers refuse coverage for flood.
The rate base and extra costs of living is beyond many homeowners. We desperately need a voice –enough is enough.
Byron Shire Council is not doing the right thing by us all. Councillors and the mayor are not able to act.
This is not a democratic process but a ‘dictatorship of can’t help’.
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. 
