Pollution Prompts Call to Revoke RTA's Licence
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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 21 #10 TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2006 22,300 copies every week $1 at newsagents only TOMORROW’S QUOTES IN INCUBATION Pollution prompts call Bay FM radiothon in full swing Local community radio sta- tion Bay FM 99.9’s biggest to revoke RTA’s licence fundraiser, the annual Radio- thon subscriber drive, is Lesley Patterson investigation into the pollu- construction of the Yelgun to under way. This year more Pollution of the Brunswick tion of the river by the high- Brunswick River Highway than ever before, listeners are River due to the Pacific way upgrade between upgrade,’ says Mr Whitling. encouraged to subscribe and Highway roadworks has Brunswick Heads and Yel- ‘It is apparent that the exist- help keep this vital and pop- reached such a level say envi- gun. Spokesperson for the ing licence is not preventing ular service on the air. Bay ronment groups that they are coalition, Richard Whitling, signifi cant pollution events FM is a non-profi t organisa- calling for an urgent review says they have not yet associated with sediment tion and it is not government of the RTA’s pollution received a reply from Mr runoff from the 10 kilometre funded, nor owned by com- licence. Debus. long construction site,’ he mercial interests. It runs on The move has been sup- On Friday Mr Debus’s added, saying that steps volunteer energy and com- ported by Byron Shire Coun- offi ce told The Echo, ‘We did could be taken by Abigroup munity spirit. cil which is also writing to receive the letters. The mat- to lessen the pollution This year Bay FM became the Environmental Protec- ter has been referred to the impact. a regional voice: its broadcast tion Authority (EPA) and the EPA for investigation. Let- Shortly after The Echo’s footprint expanded, due to a NSW Environment Minister, ters are being prepared in call to Mr Debus’s offi ce, 3000 watt transmitter Bob Debus, about the dis- response.’ Richard Whitling was con- upgrade. It can now be heard charge of sediment into the The RTA, which receives tacted by NSW Roads Min- clearly throughout the hin- river estuary during recent its EPA licence through con- ister Eric Roozendaal’s offi ce terland and beyond Lismore, rains. struction company Abigroup, asking for another copy of Ballina and Coolangatta. On A coalition of local envi- claimed that runoff caused the letters sent to him in June June 2, the station moved to ronment and community by heavy rains in late June and July. new volunteer-built studios groups including BEACON, did not contravene the exist- The RTA was asked for in the Byron Community Conservation of North ing licence. At that time the comment but had not and Cultural Centre. Barry Ocean Shores (CONOS), RTA said that sediment run- responded by the time we Melville, general manager of South Golden Beach off had increased due to went to press. Readers may the Community Broadcast- Progress Association, New heavy rain but Abigroup had wonder why The Echo does ing Association of Australia, Brighton Village Associa- measures in place to deal not ask Abigroup for com- described the new studios as tion, and the North Coast with the situation. ment – it is part of Abigroup’s ‘leading edge and setting the Environment Council, wrote ‘We have continuing urgent agreement with the RTA that Radiothon corodinators Pavitar and Cheryl Creatrix ramp it up for benchmark for the sector’. Bay FM’s major fundraising event. Photo Jeff ‘Wired’ Dawson to Bob Debus in June and concerns about the sediment media liaison is handled by The subscriber package again in July to ask for an runoff associated with the the traffi c authority. for the 2006 Radiothon efi t throughout the year, with the cost of Radiothon. The offers those pledging their eligibility for regular givea- station offers special thanks $60 ($40 concession) the ways of CDs and event tick- to SAE, The Beach Hotel, chance to win prizes and ets and discounts at 70 busi- Santos, TP Health, Supa even choose which Major nesses. IGA and The Rails. Prize draw to enter. Bay FM As well as donating prizes, Call the station on 6680 subscribers continue to ben- businesses also contribute to 7999 to subscribe. Westheimer opts for shirewide LEP Byron Shire Deputy Mayor lost opportunity overtaken runs to September 2008, and Peter Westheimer has sig- by changing and mediocre I see it as an overarching nalled his intention to sup- bureaucratic process, political imperative that by port a Shire Local Environ- entrenched interests and mid 2008 a new Shirewide mental Plan (LEP) rather political agendas. It is time LEP is gazetted. The incom- than the draft LEP for Byron to move on constructively ing council will then have a Bay, Suffolk Park and and and take the best aspects sound legislative base to Ewingsdale. This means the of the Byron draft LEP inherit before they begin the rescission motion to prevent process into a Shirewide inevitable amendments. The the draft LEP being scrapped LEP. 1988 LEP is up to its 131st is now likely to be lost. ‘The state government amendment now! In a press release last requires Council to have a ‘If Council fumbles further Monday Cr Westehimer said Shirewide LEP by March with a draft LEP that is A brown plume of sediment at the Brunswick River bridge. Photo Jeff Dawson the draft LEP ‘has been a 2009. The current Council continued on page 2 2 August 15, 2006 Byron Shire Echo www.echo.net.au Local News Father art SCCU celebrates 40th birthday Entries are needed for the Fatherhood Festival Art and Photographic Exhibition to be held September 1-3 at the Bangalow A&I Hall. The theme is ‘Fathers & Families, all shapes, all sizes’. LIFESTYLE Media include photogra- SEMINYAK phy, paint, mixed media, printmaking, drawing, and 3D works. Entry forms are available 7).4%23!,% at Waywood Framing & Gal- lery, Byron Bay, Barebones, !LLFURTHROWSREDUCEDTO Bangalow, Mina Mina Gal- lery, Brunswick Heads, Piece ANDCUSHIONSEACH Gallery, Mullumbimby, Ballina Art & Framing, WHILESTOCKSLAST Ballina, and Armistead’s 6ELVETSILKQUILTS Gallery & Framing, Lis- more. Entries required at Way- Cutting the cake for the 40th birthday of the Southern Cross Credit Union at the Mullumbimby office wood Framing & Gallery by are, from left to right, Phil Threlfall (team leader), Carol Shanley, Marianne Fairs and Maria Alidenes. SEMINYAKLIFESTYLE Monday August 28, ready to Credit union member Maria Alidenes was the 27th person to join the credit union back when it was 3HOP "OGARTSON"YRON &LETCHER3T "YRON"AY hang, no wet work. Cost per called the Tweed Byron Credit Union. Mullumbimby born Maria continues to work for local tax entry is $30. accountants WD Nicholls. 4EL CE/Council in pilot program Westheimer opts for Shire LEP Country Energy and Byron the environment while opti- From front page towards the Shirewide LEP Shire Council have joined mising the use of ratepayer I see it as an overarching has not been made lightly. I forces in a pilot program dollars. political imperative that by have defended the draft Byron designed to reduce the coun- ‘We congratulate Byron mid 2008 a new Shirewide LEP as long as I could and as cil’s operating expenses and Shire council on taking the LEP is gazetted. The incom- much as the positive planning at the same time showcase its lead in environmental pro- ing council will then have a strategies in it deserved. Coun- already strong green creden- tection and energy effi ciency,’ sound legislative base to cil however cannot keep tials. The environmental said Country Energy’s inherit before they begin the defending a fl awed document partnership was launched regional general manager inevitable amendments. The that was fear based. last week and will comprise Far North Coast, Brian 1988 LEP is up to its 131st ‘The sewerage morato- two stages. Glawson. ‘We’re excited amendment now! rium is over and there Initially, Country Energy’s about this partnership and ‘If council fumbles further appears to be no rush to specialist energy effi ciency interested to see how signifi - with a draft LEP that is develop. We have the time business – energy answers – cant the energy savings will structurally outdated and so and opportunity to stop will conduct an audit of be.’ controversial the spectre ari- floundering. The chief council sites to identify Byron Shire Mayor Jan ses of council ending up in author of the draft LEP, energy saving opportunities. Barham, said she was look- the hands of an administra- one of Council’s community It is expected that the audit ing forward to working with tor, a scenario which would planners, has left which will be completed and a Country Energy to achieve be unwelcome for most peo- makes rewriting all the more report submitted before the greater energy efficiencies ple. We need to retain the diffi cult. end of 2006. across a range of council opportunities and controls ‘I believe that the process Stage two will involve the facilities. that having our own council that we have gone through council implementing energy ‘I’m confi dent this part- gives us. I’m not being a towards a draft Byron LEP saving solutions and consid- nership will be a way for us doomsayer here. Tweed has not been in vain and that ering the acquisition of more to secure better environmen- council has an administrator much of the hard work, ideas green power, which will ena- tal, economic and social out- and Kyogle council is under and community input will be ble it to reduce greenhouse comes for the Shire,’ Cr scrutiny.