23 March 2004

Peter Westheimer Deputy Major, (Byron Shire Council)



PETER WESTHEIMER has lived in the Shire for 14 years. He has worked as a medical practitioner and also has extensive experience in the music and filmindustry as a composer and musician. He stood for Council in the 2002 bye-election and has been an avid follower of Council business in recent years.

Policy
Infrastructure and planning improvements are listed top of Group A’s policy run down. These include a sustainable tourism management plan where the state government and visitors contribute significantly to paying for major infrastructure improvements shirewide. Establishing new Section 94 plans where developers will be required to contribute more. Protecting towns, villages and rural land through effective planning instruments. Amending clause 68 of the North Coast Regional Environment plan [REP] to delete Byron Bay as a prime tourist development area. All development proposals will need to consider population capacity and the protection of the Shire’s natural resources. Peter Westheimer has been a vocal advocate of the retention of rail services to the Far North Coast. His group is also suggesting several other transport related issues although as with all wish lists, these sound great but how will they be funded? These include Park and Ride areas, with shuttle transport and a by-pass for Byron Bay. Better traffic and parking management is needed as well as walkways and cycleways. The group supports a new regional rail service with links to schools, universities and colleges, hospitals andclinics, recreational & social facilities and the provision of innovative, flexible and affordable local transport services especially for youth and senior residents. On the topic of environmental protection and enhancement their policy asks for Implementation of Council’s biodiversity and sustainable agriculture strategies with environmental protection zones and wildlife corridors. Significant revegetation and minimal ecological footprints as the basis for planning. Cleaner rivers and estuaries through improved sewerage and stormwater treatment and minimising land degradation and poorly planned development. Group A supports planned retreat as the guiding basis for addressing Byron Shire’s coastal erosion. Support for the arts, a cultural plan, and youth programs for the basis of the group’s cultural diversity and social equity policy. They recommend a developers’ levy to fund public art-work an idea which they say is already in place elsewhere. Also on the shopping list is innovative community and aged care facilities and the difficult issue of affordable housing.Their image for the Shire is as a creative community embracing film, music, visual arts, writing, health, fitness, Aboriginal heritage, farming, and original and alternative ideas.To create a strong resilient economy the group pre-scribes joint ventures and sound financial strategies as well as encouraging locally owned businesses and creative industries. Group A say they will be working towards a positive, cooperative outcome orientated new Council using constructive social, environmental and economic goals shirewide.

Byron Shire Deputy Mayor Peter Westheimer presents his wishlist for the 2007 Council season

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