COMMUNITY CONSULTATION - PROPOSED CHANGE STO PARKING IN NEW BRIGHTON.

The community of south New Brighton wish to formalise a strong objection to your proposal of changes to North Head Road carpark. A petition is currently being compiled to indicate the number of local residents opposed to the suggested plan, which subsequently will be submitted in due course.

Currently this carpark contains approximately 20 spaces, therefore Council is proposing adding an additional 13. This is a significant rise (over 50%).  Such a rise in car spaces would directly impact residents residing in numbers 41-47 North Head Road by negatively altering the ambience, view and access to their properties, combined with increased noise levels and car pollutants.

With no patrolled beaches within the New Brighton area, unfortunately several lives have been lost in the past due to drownings, therefore paradoxical why council are wanting to increase parking and encourage day trippers and tourists to an unpatrolled beach.

Sealing the carpark with the addition of painted white lines will completely change the character of our beach side community. The increased spaces would subsequently increase the traffic on North Head Road, thereby negatively influencing and placing at risk, the residents of North Head Road, Brunswick Street, Short Street and The Stand. The main access point to the beach or anywhere within the shire for residents of these streets is to utilise North Head Rd.  North Head Road is, by definition, a shared zone between pedestrians and vehicles. Anytime of the day, the road is abundant with children, residents and the elderly, both as pedestrians and bike/scooter riders, due to the deficiency of any footpath along the entirety of North Head Road.  Residents already fear vehicles racing down North Head Rd navigating the above which has intensified, attributed by the recent new sealing of part of North Head Road. The sole speedhump is unquestionably inadequate to slow the flow of traffic.

The proposal to remove seven large NATIVE trees is of major consequence for the abundance of birds, echidnas and smaller flora and fauna observed.  Removing these trees will impact the abiotic resources of the remaining native trees, therefore placing the remaining native species at risk.  Additional mitigating factors is the loss of shade, loss of natural character and potential for loss of stabilisation for vegetation supporting the dune by the removal of the two trees next to the beach access point. 

However, of further immeasurable importance over increasing car parking, our strongly bound community formally request Byron Shire Council use such allocated budgetary funds towards the more critical and existing constraints of inadequate storm water drainage within New Brighton. The one main storm drain that runs along Brunswick street has been proven exceptionally inadequate to protect our community from future flooding events. The drainage along North Head Road is shambolic which can be evidence during daily hide tides.  In 2022 the initial water that entered our homes and property was clear and fresh, not overflow from the river. Clearly a result of Council ineffectual deficient drainage. 

We urgently request Byron Shire Council formally address our community with an action plan of further flooding mitigation measures via a community meeting. It is immensely disappointing and appalling parking is a priority rather than Council facilitate their ratepayers in accelerating flooding resistance.

As a community we eagerly await a formal response via return email or to PO Box 89 New Brighton, NSW.

Ratepayers of New Brighton