THE BYRON SHIRE ECHO Advertising & news enquiries: Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 [email protected] [email protected] http://www.echo.net.au VOLUME 20 #54 30%#)!, TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 2006 !..)6%23!29 ,)&4/54 22,300 copies every week $1 at newsagents only WHY WERE WE BORN SO BEAUTIFUL? Upgrade of current highway Echo escapes teenage years at last gets community vote
Lesley Patterson east, and the most easterly received during the exhibi- Upgrading the Pacifi c High- option route D descends the tion period; the 320 signato- way along its existing align- coastal escarpment to run ries asked for the highway to ment was overwhelmingly along the coastal fl ats through be upgraded within the exist- the favoured solution in pub- Newrybar Swamp. ing highway corridor. lic submissions to the RTA The United Voices submis- Submissions were also on the Ewingsdale to Tinten- sion chose not to endorse received from Byron and bar section. any of the four route options, Ballina Shire Councils, the An astonishing 19,182 but stated that the highway Department of Environment submissions were received by should be upgraded within and Conservation (DEC), the RTA on the route options the existing corridor. It also Rous Water and several other exhibited. Just under 750 asked for interstate freight to agencies. people fi lled in the RTA’s be returned to the New Eng- Options A and B appeared official feedback form, land Highway and investiga- to pose the least number of around 400 other submis- tion start on an alternative issues said the submission sions were received, but the inland freight route. from DEC. Option A will majority (18,012) were from Among the 750 respond- have the least noise impact the group called United ents using the offi cial RTA according to DEC. ‘Whilst Voices, according to the feedback form a combina- options B, C and D impact RTA’s report on the Route tion of route option A and B on fewer receivers than Options Submissions. received the most support, option A, they impact on Four routes had been followed by option A which receivers who currently expe- shortlisted by the RTA all of most closely follows the exist- rience low background and which utilise a tunnel under ing highway. The coastal low local traffi c noise levels,’ St Helena Hill. Routes A route, option D, was the third reads the submission. and B run to the east and most popular, followed by a It goes on to say that along the existing highway; combination of C and D and options A and B are also route C branches off from lastly option C. likely to have the least poten- route B to run further to the Only one petition was tial to adversely affect biodi- versity. ‘One SEPP 14 wet- land occurs within the path The Echo celebrated its 20th Acknowledged eccentric Jim Nutter, above left, won the Eccentric Durrumbul’s bear day out of option D north of Midgen birthday on Saturday night Jason. Top right, control freaks Mandy Nolan and Pavitar largely Flat Road, DEC recom- with The Jasons awards at put the night together; the drunk and disorderly; Joanne Langton, mends that the proposed the Bangalow A&I Hall. Jan Barham (yes, this is really our mayor), and Richard Jones; bot- routes avoid SEPP 14 wet- Guest speaker Richard Nev- tom right, Djuul Price, Echo paymistress and fill-in photographer lands wherever possible,’ the ille spoke eloquently on free- Louise Beaumont, and Echo production supremo Ziggi Browning. submissions reads. dom of the press (and the Photos Eve Jeffery and Louise Beaumont Also of concern to DEC is multinationals’ hold on the impact on ‘sensitive mainstream media) while Gould took the Protecting the Green Jason went to artist receiving waters such as comedian Jonathan Atherton Underdog Jason for work with Howie Cooke for his environ- SEPP 14 wetlands and fl ood- explored the hilarious vagar- the free breakfast at the Byron mental activism in relation to plains. The extent of fl ood- ies of language. Bay community centre. protecting whales and clean- plain crossed by options C The Echo gave out eight Jas- The Young Jason went to ing up cigarette butts.The and D will require signifi cant ons to community members. hardcore musician Luke Kil- Eccentric Jason went to Jim engineering works during Bangalow identity the late Kaye patrick for providing youth Nutter for, well, eccentricity. construction to ensure the Hall was awarded the Gold events to the local commu- A couple of Jasons expressed stability of the carriageway Jason for community service, nity. Luke’s father accepted our in-house appreciation. and associated bridges and and the award was accepted by the award as Luke and his Receptionist Felicity Gaze culverts’. Kaye’s sister Helen Bebbington band Parkway Drive were received the Jason’s Favourite Conversely Rous Water in a moving speech. about to perform in Paris. Bitch award while MC for the Elise Duffey, Jackson Benson and Kane Dale didn’t go down to the expressed concern about all The Volunteer Jason went Jill Eddington won the Artsy night Mandy Nolan was woods to join the teddy bears’ picnic, but found it at the Durrum- options except D and a com- to Dee Tipping for her com- Jason for her dedicated work awarded the Bending Over bul Big Day Out on Saturday. It was exhausting work and the bination of C and D. In its munity work including reduc- with the Northern Rivers Backwards For Love Jason for former Durrumbul Preschool students enjoyed a cuddly nap with submission Rous Water raised ing plastic bag use and raising Writers Centre and the Byron giving her time to so many their bear-st friends. Photo Jeff ‘There’s a bear in there’ Dawson continued on page 2 funds for The Buttery. Gwen Bay Writers Festival. The community events. 2 June 6, 2006 Byron Shire Echo www.echo.net.au Local News
Plans for Making hay while the trees plant Main Arm
A detailed pictured of future development in Main Arm 7E LOVE THE %CHO village should be available to residents in the next few weeks. Byron Shire Council’s director of planning, Ray Darney, told The Echo that a draft Local Environment Plan, draft Development Control Plan and a Devel- oper Contributions Plan (Section 94) will be placed on public exhibition in the coming weeks. A public information day is also planned to answer residents’ questions about Lightforce “NO GST”10% Sale! the expansion of the village Present this ad for: iBooks starting at $1399 • 10% off all and explain the draft docu- The serious business of planting trees was replaced for a short time by a mulch fight at St John’s flash drives • 10% off Netgear ADSL kit • 10% off Wireless ments. Council is currently School in Mullumbimby last Friday. The banks of the Brunswick River have benefited from the addi- Antennas • 10% off Epson Printers 10% off Logitech Mice • 10% considering four applications tion of 150 casuarina and native rainforest trees as each child in the school planted a tree thanks to off STM laptop bags & gloves • eMacs starting at $800! • 10% for community title and vil- a grant from Brunswick Valley Landcare and Mullumbimby’s Mitre 10. Over the past year weeds such off JBL Creatures • 10% off all Sennheiser phones • 10% off lage developments within as morning glory and Japanese sunflower have slowly been eradicated by the pupils and landcarers select Altec Speakers • 10% off Power Backups • 10% off all Main Arm Village. and the riverside environment returned to its native state. Photo Jeff ‘Baled Up’ Dawson wires & cables • 10% off select Apple Warrantys • 10% off all CD & DVD’s • 10% off select Canon Scanners & Printers • 10% off RAM • 10% off select Software (Photoshop Elements - MS Office 2004 - You Synchronize Backup - Tech Tools Pro & more) Baha’i community fearful for Iran friends and miscellaneous Demo stuff: drastically reduced!* Members of the Baha’i com- sanctioned newspapers, radio Following the establish- relatively new, progressive munity in Byron Shire are and television in recent ment of the Islamic govern- religion which respects all fearful for the safety of their months. ment in Iran in 1979, virtu- other faiths, including Islam, counterparts in Iran follow- ‘We are shocked and fear- ally the entire leadership of and its followers, despite New Macbook & Macbook Pros now available! All iPods in Stock! ing the release of a confi den- ful at this latest development, the Iranian Baha’i commu- their persecution, bear Mus- tial document revealing that which suggests the Iranian nity was arrested and exe- lims no grudge. Lightforce Computers Iranian authorities are taking authorities are preparing to cuted or disappeared. ‘In my opinion, the Islamic “Byron’s Mac Centre & one stop for all things iPod ” steps to identify and monitor unleash a new wave of perse- Others have been denied government considers Baha’i mon-thur 10-6 • fri 10-5 • sat 10-1 at all Baha’is living in Iran. The cution against Baha’is in all rights to religious free- to be a threat because of its 1/10 Brigantine St. Byron Bay 6685 8796 United Nations Special Rap- Iran,’ said Brian Wiese speak- dom, worship and assembly progressiveness,’ said Mr *sale pricing limited to stock on hand -sorry- no rainchecks porteur on Freedom of Reli- ing on behalf of Baha’i mem- as well as subjected to dis- Wiese. gion and Belief, Asha bers in Byron Shire. criminatory laws limiting ‘Baha’i doctrine embraces Jahangir, is concerned that ‘It is ominously reminis- employment, pensions and equal rights for women, the results of such monitor- cent of the early 1980s when higher education. democratic government and FOR WINTER ing would be used as a basis many Baha’is in Iran were The Baha’i Faith is Iran’s human rights.’ for increased persecution of imprisoned, tortured and largest non Muslim religious Clearly this is not in align- 1SRHE]RMKLX¦7EPWE Baha’is. It follows mounting executed solely on the basis minority with around ment with current policy 8YIWHE]RMKLX¦+S-XEPMER attacks on the Baha’is in state of their faith.’ 300,000 followers. It is a under Khamenei’s regime. GSYVWIW KPEWW[MRI ;IHRIWHE]¦0MZI)RXIVXEMRQIRX 7YRHE]¦EPPRMKLX,ETT],SYV Highway subs Employers… Do you want more than just Wage Subsidies? (%-0=&VIEOJEWXWTIGMEP GSJJII 0YRGLWTIGMEP HVMRO From front page At WorkDirections, we aim to provide you with: 8ETEW GSGOXEMP the prospect of major distur- • The BEST available applicants ,ETT],SYVTQGSGOXEMPW bances in the vicinity of * GSYVWIHMRRIV Emigrant Creek Dam from • Effective, efficient service at NO COST to you .92)XL¦,ERW0SZINS] ;MP the highway upgrade and the • Applicants with the necessary training and skills* XL¦)VMR¦'SRXIQTSVEV]0SYRKI impact this could have on to hit the ground running WX¦7MQSR;VMKLXTPE]WWSPS water quality. ‘Option D • Follow up after placement to ensure that you are XL;L]2SX7XERHYT'SQIH] satisfied with your new employee &6)%/*%78092',8%4%7(-22)6 completely avoids the water .978%7/=3967)0* catchment area of Emigrant We also offer Wage Incentives for some candidates* to *6));-6)0)77-28)62)8 Creek Dam and is clearly assist with the costs of inducting your new employee. consistent with Council’s 18 JONSON ST, BYRON BAY TEL 6680 7994 policy,’ Rous said. So when you decide to recruit through a . s
e Job Network Member, choose one that will i
On Monday a spokesper- l p p a
a provide you with more than just a wage subsidy… son for the RTA told The i r e t i r c Echo that an announcement y t i l i b 4 i 0
on the preferred route for g i 6 l 2 e 7 the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale * upgrade will be made Byron St, Byron Bay - Freecall: 1800 816 483 shortly.
.ATURES ALTERNATIVE TO SALT /CEAN -INERAL 3UPERFOOD/CEAN -INERAL 3UPERFOOD ! REVOLUTION IN FOOD NUTRITION REHYDRATION • No sanding • No smell • No hassle .ATURAL SOURCE OF FLUORIDE • Scratch resistant • Instal today • Use tonight • Admire for years LESS SODIUM THAN REGULAR SALT • FREE MEASURE & QUOTE MORE TRACE MINERALS ^ SENSATIONAL FLAVOUR (54#()3/.3 #EA 0RODUCTS 0TY ,TD s "UTLER 3TREET "YRON "AY .37 7OLLUMBIN 3T -URWILLUMBAH 4EL s WWWCEA LIFECOM 0ER VOLUME MEASURE www.echo.net.au Byron Shire Echo June 6, 2006 3 Local News
Bangalow says farewell to Kaye Hall Vandals attack Mullum businesses Several businesses in Mullumbimby have become victims of vandalism over the past few months when they have had windows broken by what appears to be a ball bearing fired from a sling shot. The perpetrators have made no attempts to break into the premises and are apparently only interested in causing destruction. Bridglands Retravision has been targeted, as has Mitre 10 and the National Australia Bank, which has had its win- dow broken fi ve times since Easter. Anthony Zahra, owner of Mitre 10, is con- vinced that it is a group of kids causing the malicious ",, /" damage. ‘I know that it’s happen- )N LAST WEEKS "RIDGLANDS (OMEMAKERS Ben, Tom and Amy at the funeral of their mother, Bangalow identity Kaye Hall, at St Kevin’s Church ing after 9pm,’ said Mr ADVERTISEMENT THE ,A : "OY GIFT on Tuesday last week. Some 600 people turned up to say farewell to Kaye, who had written a speech Zahra. ‘I think it’s a shame VOUCHER OFFER IS NOT AS that such a beautiful town in for the occasion. At The Echo’s Jasons award night on Saturday, Kaye’s sister Helen Bebbington told PRINTED 4HE %CHO AND "RIDGLANDS the crowd that Kaye had been buried in the dress she had intended to wear to receive the Gold a lovely environment with Jason. Photo Jeff Dawson great people should have a APOLOGISE FOR ANY DISAPPOINTMENT THAT small percentage of parents THIS ERROR MAY HAVE CAUSED not supervising their kids Sportsfi elds for Suffolk Park on way properly leading to such aimless vandalism.’ Lesley Patterson ‘I believe the outcome says another $200,000 is In fact, Mr Zahra is so fed After many years of plan- clearly demonstrates that the needed to complete the wish up that he’s prepared to go ning, hard work and lobby- working together of Council- list of works. further: he is offering a $200 ing by local residents, work lors, Council staff and com- Council recently voted to reward to anyone who can began last week on pegging munity representatives can review its loan program for give information that leads to , - out Suffolk Park’s fi rst sport- achieve positive and desirable sporting fi elds, local com- the identification of those ing complex. results. pany Broken Head Quarry responsible. If you can help, 11 9ÊÊÈÈn{ÊÓx££ Heavy machinery will ‘I really have to praise the has already pledged $29,000 please contact Mr Zahra at soon move onto the site, resolve of Mayor Jan Barham towards the sporting fi elds Mitre 10. adjacent to the proposed and all Councillors, without and fundraiser Helen Brown school land off Beech Drive, exception, who made the is keen to hear from any to turn a bare paddock into project a reality through their other local businesses who Page the pick two tennis courts, a skate unwavering and unanimous would like to make a dona- MP Don Page has been park, a football ground, support. Council staff also tion (6685 4964). unanimously endorsed by cricket pitch, athletics track, generously offered their The Community, Spor- grassroots National members basketball/netball court and expertise and experience ting and Recreation Working from across the Ballina state practice areas. As early as throughout the planning, Group is now turning its electorate as the Nationals / - next summer, the tennis development and approval attention to the develop- candidate at the state elec- -/" players of Suffolk Park could stages.’ ment of a major sporting tions next March. , /Ê," Ê " / , be lobbing one over the Much of the hard planning complex along Ewingsdale Chairman of the Nation- net. work has been done by com- Road, opposite Island als’ Ballina Electorate Coun- 4HE AMAZING BEAUTY OF NATURAL SHELLED LIMESTONE ‘The success story of this munity volunteers such as Quarry. A Plan of Manage- cil Albert Enzerink said Mr WILL ADD CHARACTER STYLE AND VALUE TO YOUR HOME project is the culmination of Paul Irwin, Peter Bennett, ment and a concept plan Page had ‘delivered in spades’ many years of investigations Helen Brown and Pam Rose already have Council appro- for his electorate. ½ÌÊ«>ÞÊfÇÊÃµÉ by Council in their search for in cooperation with Council val however Mr Wegner says ‘Don has been a great *>ÞÊf{ÈÊÃµÉ a suitable site and strong lob- staff and members of local there is a lot of hard work champion for locals ever bying by community groups,’ sporting groups. ahead to fi nd the funds for since he fi rst won the seat said one of the key movers To date $565,000 has been the project and transfer the back in 1988, and that is why 1,,9Ê / Ê-/" and shakers in the project, allocated to get the project plan from paper to the he has been re-elected four Peter Wegner. started, but Peter Wegner ground. times since.’ *\Êä{ÎÓÊäÊÓÇ 4 June 6, 2006 Byron Shire Echo www.echo.net.au Local News *UNGIAN !NALYSIS AND New website for Brunswick Heads 0SYCHOTHERAPY Last Thursday the newly "ANGALOW developed Brunswick Heads website was launched in con- 0ATRICK "URNETT junction with a celebration of -EMBER !.:3*! )!!0 0!#&! the opening of the town’s 3UPERVISING ANALYST #' *UNG )NSTITUTE !.:3*! Project Offi ce. #ONFIDENTIAL PSYCHOTHERAPY The website www.bruns- AND CLINICAL SUPERVISION wickheads.org.au was dev- loped by the Simple Pleas- 0HONE ures team with local designer HTTPWWWANZSJAORGAU Yari McGauley, and is the fi nal component of the Sim- ple Pleasures Campaign, which received funding assistance from the Depart- ment of State and Regional Development last year. iÜÊ-Ê >ViÀÊ V The Project Offi ce, with a >> shopfront location at 38 Mullumbimbi St, is now in iÜÊ*>ÌiÌÃÊ7iVi full swing. The offi ce is cur- rently open two and a half ÕÊ } days per week – on Tuesdays &RIENDLY