MEDIA RELEASE FOR TONIGHTS COMMUNITY MEETING Projects abound to get Byron Back on Track Wow! Within one week of requesting proposals from potential providers or users of the rail line that utilise the rail corridor in Byron Shire, whilst not removing the tracks, 3 developed proposals have been submitted for community discussion and many more concepts have come to the surface. The 3 proposals, alongside a few other conceptual ideas and planning insights will be shared and discussed at the Critical Conversations forum in the SCU room at the Byron Community Centre, on Thursday July 17 at 6.30 pm. Mayor Simon Richardson, “Even though the window of opportunity to submit proposals to use the rail tracks was extremely short, the submission by 3 fleshed out proposals and the few conceptual plans clearly illustrate that the provision of both visitor and local transport outcomes that maintains the rail tracks is achievable.” Future planning will also feature on the night. Malcolm Price will outline his vision entailing important future strategic planning possibilities that should be considered when weighing up options as to the future use of the rail corridor. AGENDA: 6.30 Welcome and Introduction -Mayor Simon Richardson 6.45 Proposal 1- Jeremy Holmes- Byron Bay Tourist and Rail Shuttle Proposal and Q and A 7.15 Proposal 2- Alex Catchpoole- Rail Explorers and Q and A 7.45 Proposal 3- Neil Oppatt- Rail Cruising and Q and A 8.15 Future Planning- Malcolm Price, Social Habitat 8.30 Concept Sharing Expression Session-Peter Finch, Byron Trams, Phil Devine, Byron Electric Bikes, Nick Shaefer, Julio Mottola, LocoBikes 9.00 final sharing and discussion 9.30 end……and beginning Mayor Simon Richardson, “When we consider how best to use the rail corridor, we need to look into possible future needs and demands. In ten years time, will we be more in need for track based transport options or less? If we can imagine more housing, creative industries or industrial growth occurring close to the rail corridor, shouldn’t we consider keeping the tracks as functional and usable as possible?”
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 03:27:33 +0000