Ballina Electorate Media Releases
Page Says Keep Café At The Pass (16//12/2009)
People who frequent The Pass are reminded to make sure they have their say about proposed amendments to the Cape Byron Headland Reserve Plan of Management the Member for Ballina, Don Page, said today.
The Cape Byron Headland Trust is considering changes to visitor facilities at The Pass.
“The Pass Café was closed in August this year when the lease expired and the Trust is currently looking at amending the Plan of Management to provide a number of options involving the provision of refreshments,” Mr Page said.
“The options include continuing to use the existing building as a café, redeveloping the building as a kiosk or building a new kiosk in the existing picnic/toilet area,” he said.
“I have had a number of people contact me who are concerned about the possibility that the Café building will be redeveloped and turned into tourist accommodation,” he said.
“I know the area well and I have again recently inspected the facilities at The Pass. I think it would be a great loss to the community if the café was redeveloped for tourist accommodation. I think it should remain a café.
“I believe any accommodation at The Pass would be aimed at the high end of the tourist market and would therefore become an exclusive facility that would only be accessible to a few people,”
“Facilities at The Pass should be able to be used by all locals and visitors regardless of their budgets,” Mr Page said.
“I would rather see a café that can be enjoyed by many people than accommodation only enjoyed by a few,” Mr Page said.
“The Pass is one of the most popular beaches for tourists and locals and anyone who does have an opinion on facilities in the area is encouraged to have their say about the proposal to amend the plan of management for the Cape Byron Headland Reserve.” Mr Page said.
“The closing date for submissions is Friday 18 December 2009. Submissions should be sent via the internet to
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parkmanagement/CapeByronAmendments.htm.
Written submissions should be sent to:
The Planner
Cape Byron Headland Reserve Trust
NPWS
PO Box 127
BYRON BAY NSW 2481
