BYRON BAY THE BYRON SHIRE WRITERS’ FESTIVAL Volume 28 #02 2-4 AUGUST 2013 Tuesday, June 18, 2013 Phone 02 6684 1777 Fax 02 6684 1719 [email protected] [email protected] www.echo.net.au CAB PROGRAM BOOKLET 23,200 copies every week AUDIT Noth Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au MY REALITY CHEQUE BOUNCED IN THIS WEEK’S ECHO Inside Council has Mungo has a More of that Writersfest Far away in time: Byron Shire this a full day of spray at federal fracking book reviews Echo Beach Council Notices week decisions – p9 politics – p10 mess – p11 – p23 – p25 Page 47 State govt to overhaul Joel’s environmental protection Luis Feliu gas emissions and protecting threat- TekSTAR ened species. Mr Pugh told Th e Echo Conservation groups across NSW the government doesn’t want to let have slammed the announcement on threatened species ‘stand in the way Friday by deputy premier and NSW of their assault on NSW’s natural ready Nationals leader, Andrew Stoner, that environment.’ the Native Vegetation Act, the Th reat- Mr Stoner however told a state ened Species Conservation Act and Nationals’ conference in Bathurst related biodiversity legislation would that rules on land clearing under be ‘comprehensively’ overhauled. the former government had become And despite NSW Farmers wel- ‘a patchwork of laws that is frag- coming the move as simplifying mented, rigid and overly complex current legislation, state Labor says and which has had the perverse ef- land clearing is the single greatest fect of limiting both environmental threat to the biodiversity of NSW. and economic outcomes’. Th e North East Forest Alliance Meanwhile, Save North Coast (NEFA) spokesperson, Dailan Pugh, Nature (SNCN) is urging residents said it amounted to a winding back to make a submission by June 28 of protections for native vegetation on the government’s proposed new A meeting of minds: Joel Salom and his wire haired terrier, Eric, will be on the same wavelength when they hit the and an imminent ‘gutting’ of pro- planning system. stage for the TekSTAR Konvergence this Thursday at the Byron Sport and Cultural Complex. The day features 12 tections for threatened species. Th e Th e Nature Conservation Coun- hours of performances, workshops, panels, installations and more. It’s part of a regional ten day festival of art and laws are regarded as vital in tackling cil’s submission guide is available technology, and wraps up at the Lismore Lantern Parade. For full program visit www.tekstar.tv. Photo Jeff Dawson soil erosion, salinity and greenhouse online at http://nccnsw.org.au. Big plans for Byron Hospital surrounds Off for state approval: aged care, residential and retail proposal on lands surrounding Ewingsdale hospital site Hans Lovejoy impact reports, sewage manage- And despite no starting or com- on detail regarding neighbour im- to do their development as we are ment clarifi cation, heritage assess- pletion dates being announced for pacts. However, a community con- not privy to their fi nancial arrange- Plans for seniors housing, aged ment of ‘buildings and surrounds’ the Byron Central Hospital, Belbeck sultation component is included on ments and it may not be possible to care facilities, a supermarket, retail and an assessment of possible site Investments Ltd on behalf of Jewel- page 27, which would provide an comply with such a restriction premises and medical facilities have contamination, due to its former bond Pty Ltd are seeking a rezoning opportunity for submissions. ‘If it is impossible to do so, then been put to the state government by usage as a cattle dip station. to allow the development proposal. Deputy mayor Diane Woods told the whole development could fall Council for ‘Gateway’ determina- Council has also requested a Within the lengthy and repeti- Th e Echo that despite voting against, over and that is not in the best in- tion aft er they were tabled at last master plan that would ‘adequately tive 209 page document for the pro- she is in favour of the development. terest of the applicants or our com- Th ursday’s meeting. address’ the requirement that the posal, Belbeck Investments claim ‘My opposition was to the change munity.’ The proposed development aged care facilities ‘are constructed that Byron’s ageing population, ‘is in the recommendation that re- Within Council’s agenda, plan- would be located on lands either prior to, or concurrently with, the expected to almost triple from 2,760 quired the developers to make a ning staff commented that the pro- side of the future Byron Hospital on retail/commercial precinct to guar- 2011 to 7,660 in 2036, making up to plan that includes construction of posal ‘may be inconsistent with the Ewingsdale Road. antee that the seniors housing com- 17 per cent of the population.’ the residences prior to or concur- relevant regional and local strategic But before it’s given the nod, ponent is constructed.’ And while it spruiks the economic rently with the retail section. plans…’ However they say it ‘does Councillors will seek to impose con- Crs Di Woods and Basil Cam- benefi ts it would provide and its de- ‘I don’t think it is right of Coun- provide social and economic ben- ditions, including traffi c and noise eron voted against. sirable location, the proposal is light cil to instruct the applicants how efi ts for the community.’ Bangalow Dental Health Bringing Health to Dentistry t"EVMUBOE$IJMESFOT#SBDFT('SFF$POTVMUBUJPO) t$PTNFUJD%FOUJTUSZBOE4NJMF%FTJHO(NEW) t(FOFSBM%FOUBM$BSFt*NQMBOUTt$SPXOTBOE#SJEHFT t5FFUI8IJUFOJOHt4BNF%BZ&NFSHFODJFT Medicare TEEN Dental, HCF “More for Teeth Program”, HICAPS, NSW Oral Health Fee For Service Scheme t#BMMJOB3PBE #BOHBMPXtXXXCBOHBMPXEFOUBMDPN Local News North Coast news daily: netdaily.net.au Mullum’s 95.5 per cent Donny inspires Eli’s art
Pictured are three Gasfi eld Free coordinators at Mullum’s declaration last Friday. From left is Wendy Royston (Brun- LEARN TO SURF swick Heads), Deborah Lilly (Mullumbimby) and Olga Tresz with surf legend Rusty Miller (whole of Byron Shire). Photo Magenta Appel-Pye Artist Eli Ashcroft with Donny and portrait. Photo Jeff Dawson former USA Surfing Champion 1965 Crowds arrived with flags, per cent, or 34 people,’ while Among the many entrants in found out to my great surprise smiles and CSG-themed 1.1 per cent said ‘No’, which the Northern Rivers Portrait that he didn’t work for council placards to declare Mullum- equated to 11 people. Prize was local artist Eli Ash- nor is he paid by any of the PERSONALISED bimby gasfi eld free at last Fri- And at Council’s Th ursday croft who has a studio/gal- businesses in town for doing SURFING INSTRUCTION day’s Farmers Market. meeting, support was given for lery in Byron Bay’s Arts and the work that he does out of s !LL LEVELS Mayor Simon Richardson the erection of signs ‘on each Industry estate. the goodness of his heart.’ s 4EACHING YOU A METHOD ON was presented with parch- trunk road’ into Brunswick Eli took the advice of Mi- Yet Donny was homeless. HOW TO LEARN ment certifi cates mentioning Heads, Mullumbimby and nas, from Osho’s House in By- His gentle nature, his kindness s &UN