We’re happy Jan!

Byron Bay represents many things to many people and is central to an increasing diversity of current and future residential, holiday, retirement and business plans. The draft Byron Bay Local Environmental Plan (LEP) attempts to balance the varied, and often conflicting, needs and interests of the existing populace whilst positively shaping its future. For this reason, the Byron Ballina Greens commend the efforts of Byron Bay Council and its leadership by Greens Mayor Cr Jan Barham.

One of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, Byron Bay attracts millions of national and international tourists every year. It is widely accepted that the unique co-existence of a low-key built environment with the natural environment is a key component in attracting these visitors and their tourist dollars to Byron Bay.

Similarly, the value of these tourist dollars to the area is recognized and supported by the Byron Ballina Greens, which itself includes tourist operators and local business owners. However, in accordance with the Greens principle of ecological sustainability, Byron Ballina Greens gives prime consideration to protecting the health and future of the natural environment.

For this reason, Jan Barham’s pioneering achievements in combining ecology and economy are to be commended and supported, as she diligently and successfully works to encourage and manage sustainable growth in the shire.

Abandoning an approach of ‘growth no matter what’, she has already initiated and implemented successful strategies to conserve the natural environment and amenity of the town whilst promoting and supporting business growth.

Illustrating her consideration for economic and local business development is her current involvement with NSW Tourism. Jan and Byron Shire Council are actively and financially contributing to a statewide marketing campaign by NSW Tourism to attract potential visitors to the area.

Equally, last year’s achievement of a National Award for Local Government clearly demonstrates Jan’s parallel commitment to the ecology of the area. In November 2005, she and Council’s Ecologist Hank Bower accepted the Byron Biodiversity Conservation Strategy award which won the category ‘Integrating biodiversity conservation into planning and management’ for a council with a ratepayer base under 15,000.

The Strategy is an example of Jan’s success in striking a balance between regulation, incentives and support and whilst this is never easy, she is to be commended for seeking to manage the social, economic and environmental qualities of the Byron Shire community.

Regan Harding, Lennox Heads, April 2006