Residents of Suffolk Park endure some of the worst roads in the Byron Shire. Potholes are rife and repair is rare. There have been numerous cases of costly damage to the suspension and tyres of vehicles.

Residents of Suffolk Park endure some of the worst roads in the Byron Shire. Potholes are rife and repair is rare.

Potholes in Suffolk Park

Lasting systemic change is required to provide solutions to the housing emergency across the Byron Shire. The number of homeless across our Shire is very high compared to other regions in Australia, with people becoming displaced primarily due to sharply rising rents caused by inflated house prices. There is a clear need for support to meet the immediate needs of the homeless as well as develop sustainable, long-term solutions.

Lasting systemic change is required to provide solutions to the housing emergency across the Byron Shire.

Housing Emergency - Byron Shire

Byron Shire lacks accessible and regular public transport which increases the lack of connectivity across our Shire.

Connectivity - Byron Shire

There is a distinct lack of electric vehicle charging stations for public use, with only a limited number available across our Shire.

There is a distinct lack of electric vehicle charging stations for public use, with only a limited number available across our Shire.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations - Byron Shire

There is an urgent need for additional long-term parking solutions for Bangalow. The village is overwhelmed with vehicles, particularly on market days.

Peripheral Parking - Bangalow

Currently, the speed limit for the Bangalow town centre is 50 km/hour.&nbsp; It is a high density area, with increasing pedestrian traffic, compounded by increasing numbers of heavy vehicles using this route leading to very dangerous road conditions.

Traffic Management requirements for increased safety in Bangalow town centre.

Safety of Pedestrians in Bangalow

With significant traffic into Byron Bay, the McGettigans Lane / Ewingsdale Road intersection is unsafe and inefficient. Additional housing developments and accompanying vehicle traffic in Ewingsdale, coupled with school access, has made this intersection increasingly dangerous. Limited road sight to traffic coming from Byron Bay contributes to this growing problem.

With significant traffic into Byron Bay, the McGettigans Lane / Ewingsdale Road intersection is unsafe and inefficient.

Unsafe and Inefficient Intersection - Ewingsdale

Federal, Mullumbimby and Bangalow are renowned for their North Coast Federation Heritage buildings. Preservation and respect for these houses, buildings and curtilage, and the heritage feel of these historic villages, is pivotal.

Federal, Mullumbimby and Bangalow are renowned for their North Coast Federation Heritage buildings.

Preservation of Heritage - Federal, Mullumbimby and Bangalow

The lack of proactive actions to protect frontal beach dunes from severe erosion is causing negative repercussions for the area. The most affected beaches are Belongil, Main Beach, Clarke’s Beach, The Pass and Wategos. These beaches hold major appeal to visitors visiting Byron Bay and poor implementation of a comprehensive dunes management plan is affecting the natural beauty and attraction to these landmarks. After significant tidal movements, access to these beaches is limited and often hazardous. Additionally, established foliage such as the endemic pandanus trees are not salvaged.

The lack of proactive actions to protect frontal beach dunes from severe erosion is causing negative repercussions for the area.

Frontal Dune Disaster - Byron Bay

Many areas of Byron Shire, and especially beachside Broken Head, Belongil and Brunswick Heads, have been adversely affected by increasing numbers of illegal campers. These campers, mainly in vans, cars or tents, ignore the Council’s direction to not stay there overnight. Toilet and shower facilities, and garbage bins - designed for day use only - cannot cope with the growing numbers of people using these on a daily basis. The associated parties and late-night noise are also causing distress to residents.

Many areas of Byron Shire, and especially beachside Broken Head, Belongil and Brunswick Heads, have been adversely affected by increasing numbers of illegal campers.

Illegal Camping at Broken Head, Belongil and Brunswick Heads

There is no dedicated women’s refuge in Byron Shire with those in crisis being funnelled to the crowded Lismore, Tweed and Ballina Shire facilities. This leads to displacement and increased mental health problems for women and children in dire need, those who have been severely impacted by domestic violence and homelessness.

There is no dedicated women’s refuge in Byron Shire with those in crisis being funnelled to the crowded Lismore, Tweed and Ballina Shire facilities.

Women’s Refuge - Byron Shire

There are a significant number of heavy vehicles using the Granuaille Street -&nbsp; Lismore Road roundabout to travel to Lismore and other regional centres. Bangalow residents are concerned about the safety of residents during the day, and noise pollution affecting the town throughout the night.

There are a significant number of heavy vehicles using the Granuaille Street -&nbsp; Lismore Road roundabout to travel to Lismore and other regional centres.

Use of Lismore Road  by Heavy Vehicles - Bangalow

Serious traffic congestion and delays are making commuting tough around Suffolk Park, especially for those working in Byron Bay or in its industrial estate. Entry to Broken Head Road from Suffolk Park is often impeded and unsafe. Delays are even longer during school drop-off hours, due to the number of popular primary and high schools, childcare and after-care facilities.

Serious traffic congestion and delays are making commuting tough around Suffolk Park, especially for those working in Byron Bay or in its industrial estate.

Traffic Congestion in Suffolk Park

Residents of the northern shire face significant delays and safety issues in their commute to Byron Bay and this is only likely to increase in the future.

Peak hour congestion and safety issues from Pacific Highway to Ewingsdale road 

With Byron Bay now one of the top destinations for tourists, traffic congestion causing serious delays for commuters, tradies, residents and visitors is only getting worse, especially during peak hours. Access to Byron Bay has been a major issue for the past decade, despite the new link road via Butler Street providing some alleviation.

Access to Byron Bay has been a major issue for the past decade, despite the new link road via Butler Street providing some alleviation.

Traffic Congestion - Byron Bay

The eastern side of Suffolk Park has a sub-optimal road base.&nbsp; Garbage trucks cause vibrations to houses, with subsequent damage including to bathroom tiling with grout falling out every few months requiring replacement.

The eastern side of Suffolk Park requires a significant upgrade to the quality, consistency and depth of Road base.

Poor Roads in Suffolk Park

Similar to their Ocean Shores neighbours, residents of New Brighton are being badly affected by run-off caused by lack of adequate drainage to cope with sustained and heavy rainfall endemic to our Shire. This has affected many properties, with damage to houses and gardens. The run-off also causes stagnant pools of water which attract mosquitoes.

Residents of New Brighton are being badly affected by run-off caused by lack of adequate drainage.

Flooding Damage in New Brighton

A shared path from Rifle Range Road to Rankin Drive in Bangalow is necessary to ensure the safe and easy connectivity of this village.

Shared Path - Bangalow

A lack of parking time enforcement in Brunswick Heads is creating headaches for local businesses and residents. Visitors are rarely penalised for overstaying, and there is limited long-term parking for workers and residents.

A lack of parking time enforcement in Brunswick Heads is creating headaches for local businesses and residents.

Parking Havoc - Brunswick Heads

Inadequate drainage in Ocean Shores is causing major flooding and damage to established houses. This documented damage, which is exacerbated after sustained and heavy rain, is due to inadequate drainage from poor infrastructure and/or new housing developments.

Inadequate drainage in Ocean Shores is causing major flooding and damage to established houses

Flooding Damage in Ocean Shores

There is a lack of short-term accommodation for displaced rough sleepers during wet weather, when they are even more vulnerable to the elements.

Issues

Shire-wide issues

Local issues