THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 33 #14 Wednesday, September 12, 2018 S www.echo.net.au Phone 02 6684 1777 [email protected] [email protected] 23,200 copies every week DEMANDING THE BEST AND REGRETTABLY ACCEPTING LESS SINCE 1986 Mullum school touchdown Harsh feedback over fl ood response Paul Bibby We’ve subsequently had a test run during a possible fl ood event that Th e Byron Shire community has little didn’t eventuate and we found that faith in the ability of local authori- our warning systems and communi- ties such as Council and the police to cation had improved.’ provide them with accurate, timely Th e mistrust in local authorities information during floods, a new such as Council may have stemmed survey shows. from the unreliable information lo- And the results suggest that a size- cals received during the fl oods as- able majority of locals support meas- sociated with Cyclone Debbie last ures such as dredging, the removal of March. rock walls and new ocean outfalls to reduce the future fl ood risk. Confl icting info Th e survey, conducted by Byron Nearly 65 per cent of respondents Council to help it develop a fl ood said they had received confl icting risk management plan, found that information about fl oods in the past. Mullumbimby Public School students were excited to have crews from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service only the State Emergency Services ‘No-one was able to give me in- and the Little Ripper Drone Patrol drop-in for a visit on Friday. Organisers say the school was selected from and the Bureau of Meteorology were formation about fl ooding in Mul- more than 4,600 primary schools across Australia, and the visit aims to educate about the importance of trusted by a majority of participants lum that night,’ one survey respond- safety and local emergency services. Photo Eve Jeff ery to provide accurate information ent said of last year’s fl oods. during a fl ood. ‘When the water came into our Just 18 per cent of participants street, I called SES and they told me said they trusted Council to pro- there was no fl ooding in Mullum… Former quarry to be rehabilitated vide accurate information, while now I don’t know who to trust…’ Th e owners of Broken Head Quarry and its future for many years. Dr Holm said enforceable under- less than 40 per cent said they had Another survey participant said have agreed to an Enforceable Un- ‘Th e old quarry site will now be takings are written, legally binding faith in the information from other they had received a 3am call to dertaking, according to the NSW brought back to match the surround- agreements that can save the signifi - emergency services such as police. evacuate; ‘However, we were already Department of Planning and Envi- ing vegetation to protect threatened cant costs of legal action and bring Byron councillor Michael Lyon totally fl ooded in and there was no ronment (DoPE). Th e agreement re- species as well as restore an impor- about swift, clear and measurable (Greens) acknowledged that there route out’. quires the company to rehabilitate and tant wildlife corridor,’ he said. results for the community. had been issues with communica- More than 80 per cent of respond- revegetate the bushland by mid-2019. ‘Th is will allow threatened fauna Dr Holm said, ‘Our compliance tion during the fl ood, but that the ents said they wanted information A DoPE spokesperson says it’s known to exist in the adjacent com- team will continue to monitor the lessons had been learned. about fl ood events to be sent to them a landmark outcome for the state munity, to once again forage and quarry to ensure the rehabilitation ‘I think a major factor was that via emergency SMS – a blanket mes- government, ‘as it represents the potentially, sometime in the future, is carried out by mid-2019’. no-one took overall responsibility sage that goes out to all the mobile fi rst enforceable undertaking issued populate this area. ‘Planting of new trees and veg- for planning around this to ensure phones in a particular area. since the enactment of new provi- etation as well as landscaping has that the relevant agencies talked to sions earlier this year.’ Legally binding already commenced and the com- each other,’ said Cr Lyon, who is on Dredging wanted DoPE executive director, Re- ‘Th is includes endangered spe- munity will see a real change over the Floodplain Risk Management Th e survey also provided an indi- sources Assessment and Compli- cies such as the koala, the Eastern the coming years. Th is is good news Committee. cation of the community’s priorities ance, Dr Oliver Holm said the deci- Long-eared Bat and potentially, the for the Byron Bay region, with such ‘None of the systems had really when it came to fl ood-prevention sion is a win for local people who Long-nosed Potaroo, with the last a positive environmental outcome been tested and drilled. works in the Shire. have been concerned about the en- confirmed sighting of this small secured through a clear and en- ‘Council has read this feedback A large majority wanted the vironmental condition of the quarry marsupial in the region in 1993.’ forceable mechanism.’ and our systems have changed. continued on page 2 Taking cues Peaceful warriors Find your place in Ten things about from Menzies at Byron Film our community in Falls Festival and God – p10 Festival – p12 Echo Property – p20 – p32 WE ARE MOVING! BOOK A PRIVATE TOUR AND COME VISIT OUR STUNNING NEW KITCHEN SHOWROOM NOW. 4/64 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay • 02 6680 8542 [email protected] www.cipriano.com.au Local News North Coast news daily: netdaily.net.au ACREAGE MOWING • Library holds GARDEN • LAWN • Guitar fest cometh Oct 6–7 TREE MAINTENANCE kids’ activities With school holidays around the corner Byron Bay Library will host some free activities – but bookings are essential on 6685 8540. Lanterns 0402 487 213 On Monday October 8 leafi ttous.com.au from 10.30am, kids are invit- ed to decorate their own rice- paper lantern, using a range of materials and techniques. Suitable for children aged six and up. Lego and Duplo On Tuesday October 9 Strings to the ready – The Byron Bay Guitar Festival will be held again this year, on Saturday from 9.30am till 12pm, it will October 6 and Sunday October 7 at the Byron Bay Brewery. British India, Dallas Frasca, The be a big brick-building morn- Fumes and Opal Ocean head the lineup, which also includes Ash Grunwald, Jeff Martin, ing with Lego and Duplo for Hussy Hicks and Taj Farrant. Pictured is festival co-organiser and Byron Music co-owner children three and up. Nick Sergi. For more info visit www.byronbayguitarfestival.com. Photo Jeff Dawson Public have their say on fl ood response Surfboard art continued from page 1 lets through the dunes. ‘However, we also have to Shire’s stormwater pipes, gut- There was also strong rely on flood modelling in event Sept 20 ters and drains to be repaired support for the removal making our decision. Th e latest McTavish art board and upgraded. of rock walls at Marshalls ‘Anecdotal evidence is not project, including a short fi lm, Th e other main priorities Creek, located opposite the always an indicator of what’s will be launched September 20 were improved landscape Brunswick Heads marina, happening on the ground,’ from 6pm at 91 Centennial Cct management and dredging and the construction of new he added. in Byron. Th e work is by lo- of waterways to ensure the ocean outfalls. Council is expecting to re- cal artist Jordana Henry, and unrestricted fl ow of fl oodwa- ‘We’re going to consider all ceive detailed modelling from organisers say the event will ters out into the ocean. of those things [when devel- last year’s fl oods within the celebrate the collaboration of Just under 70 per cent of re- oping the Flood Management next six months and will then local artists and craft smen. spondents said they supported Plan] – everything’s on the set about producing the fi nal For more info visit www. the construction of fl ood out- table,’ Cr Lyon said. Flood Management Plan. mctavish.com.au. Ocean Shores teen charged with GBH A 15-year-old Ocean Shores Detective inspector from linudgel Tunnel, the 15-year- male was arrested at Byron Byron Bay Police Matt Kehoe old male threw a large rock Bay last Friday over an al- told Th e Echo he was charged at the victim causing injuries.’ leged assault against another with ‘Recklessly Infl ict griev- Police still appealing for teenager. ous bodily harm (GBH) and any witnesses to contact By- As recently reported by bailed with strict conditions ron Bay detectives on 6685 Th e Echo, a local young man to attend Mullumbimby Chil- 9499 or Crime Stoppers on sustained serious facial in- dren’s Court on September 24’. 1800 333 000 if they have in- juries at a party in the Bil- ‘Police will allege that dur- formation regarding the al- linudgel Tunnel. ing a doof party in the Bil- leged off ence. FROM THE MAKERS OF SELL-OUT SHOWS RAILWAY WONDERLAND & DREAMLAND Help shape Council’s 10 year Bike Plan, and our fi rst Pedestrian Access & Mobility Plan. • Take our survey at: Have your say on Byron www.yoursaybyronshire.com.au Shire’s footpaths and until end-September. cycle ways of the future.