Tamara Smith MP Calls for Climate Change Truce
17 January 2020
When Tamara Smith talks about a ‘gracious U-turn’, Byron readers might be surprised to learn she isn’t referring to drivers waiting patiently on Jonson Street outside the Mercato shopping centre.
The Greens state member for Ballina wants mainstream society to give conservatives on climate change another chance.
Greens call for Parliament to return early
10 January 2020
Bay FM Interview: Greens call for parliament to return to approve $10,000 Fire Recovery Payments for all who have lost their home.
Homelessness getting worse in Byron Shire, say frontline workers
12 December 2019
Homelessness getting worse in Byron Shire, say frontline workers
Media Release: The Greens call on the Premier to remove shark nets immediately
Media Release
4 December 2019
Tamara Smith, Member for Ballina and NSW Greens spokesperson for Marine and Fisheries is today calling on the NSW Government to remove shark nets in NSW as they are an abject failure.
Save the Mitchell's Rainforest Snail
Please help me save the Mitchell's Rainforest snail and its primary habitat!
The critically endangered species, the Mitchell's Rainforest snail could be fatally impacted by the Butler Street Bypass in Byron Bay.
We are in an extinction crisis and have a responsibility to do everything we can to protect our biodiversity.
If you are as concerned about this as I am, please join me in writing to the Minister to voice your concerns.
Ballina nurses deserve better treatment from Government
Media Release
9 May 2019
Member for Ballina Tamara Smith MP today called on the Health Minister to urgently fund more nurses on night shift at Ballina Hospital.
Another win for Byron community as second development refused
Media Release
9 April 2019
Member for Ballina Tamara Smith has welcomed the decision by the Northern Regional Planning Panel (NRPP) to unanimously refuse the proposed West Byron development application to subdivide 9 lots into 282 residential lots at Ewingsdale Rd and Melaleuca Drive, Byron Bay.
"This is another great win for our community and people power,” said Ms Smith.
Defer the Byron Bay bypass
Media Release
5 April 2019
Defer the Byron Bay bypass
Member for Ballina Tamara Smith MP wants Byron Shire Council to defer their decision to construct the Byron Bay bypass and instead be part of a process to review options to address traffic congestion in the town.
“During the last four years I regularly heard community concerns regarding the Byron Bay bypass and more recently issues with the State government’s proposal for the Butler Street Transport Terminal,” said Ms Smith.
Greens Policy on Short Term Holiday Letting
The Greens Member for Ballina Tamara Smith MP has announced legislation for Short Term Holiday Letting that would empower local councils to regulate the industry whilst protecting the rights of owner-occupiers. Under the plan, each local council would have the power to determine its own conditions and restrictions on holiday lets, but with a caveat. Resident homeowners, who holiday let their whole homes for less than a prescribed number of days per year, would be exempt from the need to submit development applications.
Halt to over-development in Byron
Photo: Sean O'Shea Art
Greens Member for Ballina Tamara Smith is calling for a 12-24 month halt on all new planning proposals for major developments as well as a pause on both the Butler Street bypass and the Transport NSW Bus station until the area’s infrastructure backlog is addressed and the community is properly consulted.
“Like the Liberals did for the suburb of Ryde in 2018, I am calling for a pause on development applications in Byron for 12 - 24 months while we bring our infrastructure up to scratch,” said Ms Smith.
