THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 24 #45 SCENE Tuesday, April 20, 2010 N Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 E Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 E Fax 02 6684 1719 R [email protected] [email protected] G www.echo.net.au page 18 21,000 copies every week CROUCHING HACK, HIDDEN SNAPPER Rate increase Tallowood still on protesters’ radar in shire plan The 2010-2013 Draft Management Plan and Budget is on public exhibi- tion until 10 May 2010. Byron Shire Mayor Jan Barham said the draft plan details the services and programs to be delivered by Council along with an overview of capital works planned for 2010/11. ‘It’s a challenging budget for this upcoming financial year,’ she said in a press release. ‘The recently an- nounced rate pegging of 2.6 per cent by the NSW government makes it impossible to maintain the level of service expected by our residents and ratepayers. ‘A 2.6 per cent cap does not cover the real costs that Council experi- ences and doesn’t allow for increases in electricity, wages and equipment. Unfortunately, the continual cost shifting from the state government to local councils will mean a special rate application for Council for the upcoming financial year.’ Council is seeking a 6.98% special rate increase for 2010/11. The rate in- crease on the general fund will be used for one million dollars’ worth of services and programs including the new Byron Bay Library $100,000, Byron Sport and Cultural Complex $120,000, Byron Regional Sport and Cultural Complex maintenance $186,000, increased regional library Protesters gathered last Saturday at the proposed Tallowood Ridge Estate subdivision site at Mullumbimby to reinforce their call for residents to attend a contribution $84,000, information Land and Environment Court hearing at the Byron Bay courthouse on Wednesday April 28. Photo Eve Jeffery technology enhancements $195,000, Michael McDonald road, on the southern side of the de- marked and their future is unknown. chance of community dialogue.’ contribution to emergency services velopment becomes the green buffer, As there is currently no transparency According to resident Deborah (RFS, lifesaving, SES etc) $175,000, Objectors to the proposed Tallow- as Council intended, between existing in the development it is unclear if the Lilly, ‘If a masterplan is not done, beach scraping at New Brighton ood Ridge Estate subdivision at Mul- rural residential properties and the ridge will be cleared for a road to link then S96 contributions from the de- $130,800, Watego’s Walking Track lumbimby are calling for residents to proposed urban development. The with the proposed subdivision en- veloper in relation to small lot sizes $50,000, and matching funding for gather outside the Byron Bay court- developers want to build an access trance to Brushbox Drive. such as 31 lots (the first stage) will not bikeways construction $55,200. house on Wednesday April 28 for a road along the ridgeline rather than ‘The community had been asking provide enough funds for the needed For an average residential prop- three day Land and Environment use their own lands as previously for full disclosure of the master plan infrastructure, such as traffic calm- erty, a 6.98% special rate increase is Court hearing on the proposal, the proposed. Council and the commu- of the development to allow for a ing devices in the 50k section of Left continued on page 2 first 31 lot stage of which was knocked nity want to see this area reforested period community consultation and Bank Road.’ back by Byron Shire Council. Objec- to keep the ridgeline free from de- feedback but were advised by the de- In addition, resident Dave Rawl- Echo open Monday tors want to ‘remind the court of our velopment. veloper that he had no obligation to ins said, ‘It is evident that in order to Despite the public holiday on concerns and to show the court that ‘The community also wishes to do so under special condition granted maximise profits the developers wish the community supports Council in send a clear message to protect exist- by the State Department of Planning. to fight Council and the community Monday April 26, Echo offices wishing to protect biodiversity and ing vegetation including significant We understand the [L&E Court] com- to force through their inappropriate will be open for business rural amenity’. old growth trees. These are directly missioner has also asked for a master development. During the entire proc- as usual and the paper will Objectors also want ‘to ensure the threatened by proposed house blocks. plan, however this means that it gets ess there has been lack of disclosure. come out the following day. vacant council road reserve, or paper Another 200 trees have recently been presented to the court without the continued on page 6 days of health & fitness for Come and see our newly renovated health and fitness club. Call 6685 5640. Bring this ad with you for your 7 days free membership. 108 Bangalowfree! Rd. cnr Blackbutt Place. www.heartandsoulhealthclubs.com.au *Conditions Apply - Must be over 18, First time users only. dcb adv HS 0001 BYRON BAY 7 <echowebsection=Local News> Local News Two houses destroyed in Watego’s blaze Two houses in Brownell Drive, Watego’s Beach, were destroyed in a fierce blaze last Sunday night. According to a witness, ‘The fire started at number 28 and then spread to 26 through The Poinciana is open seven days a week from 8:00am. leaves in the gutter and under Breakfast is served all day on weekends & until 1:00pm the roof when the wind picked weekdays. Lunch service is from noon til 3:00pm. up. It took eight fire crews to We’re open for Dinner most Friday & Saturday nights contain, some coming in from from 6:30pm & bookings are essential. We have a vast Newrybar and other towns. collection of soulful music that plays all day everyday. ‘Fire crews had problems Our Bar offers a great mix of wines, beers & cocktails. with water pressure and used Dine inside or chillax in our lush tropical courtyard. a number of trucks to build Free wireless internet. the pressure and send water to 55 Station Street Mullumbimby 02 6684 4036 other units. www.poincianacafe.com ‘A trailer of oxygen bottles was brought from Lismore and a second trailer load was required. ‘The fire was so intense that water from the hoses was ing the fire at 26 which looked blaze on Monday morning. after the initial triple zero call evaporating. very likely to spread to number Another resident told The was made. They sent two fire ‘Crews also contended with 24 only a few metres away.’ Echo that Watego’s Beach resi- trucks immediately but it was Mothers Day Special exploding gas bottles and live A crew stayed on watch all dents ‘are in disbelief that the too late as the fire had well and 4 courses $50 wires fallen to the ground. night and prevented flareups. fire service in Suffolk Park was truly taken hold.’ Police started investigating the not called until about an hour Photo Angus Goozee Wednesday wine night They did a great job contain- Set dinner with matching wine 2 courses $30 Thursday local produce dinner Byron loses much-loved Mexican troubador 2 courses $30 Hans Lovejoy taxi driver in the past year, his Sunday cocktails with free tapas 2/3 course set dinner $30/$40 services will also be missed by The Byron Shire community the community at large.’ Breakfast and lunch 7 days from 6am Cocktails and dinner Wednesday to Sunday lost a great musician this week Another longtime friend Breakfast all day · Free wireless with the passing of Hector de of 21 years, musician Parissa Santiago. Bouas, told The Echo Hector A la carte menu Hector died tragically last was very influential in bring- 18 Jonson Street Byron Bay 02 6680 7994 www.whynotbyronbay.com.au Tuesday April 13, after falling ing Latin American music to a into an unfenced pool in the wider audience in Australia. WHY NOT! for handmade cocktails? WHY NOT! for dinner? dark at a Belongil home. ‘I met him in Sydney around As a guitarist/singer, he was 1986, and his was the first Latin well known for busking his music that a lot of musicians . Latin American tunes on the heard in Sydney.’ streets or outside the restau- Hector is survived by his son rants of Byron Bay. Fabian, his sister Yoland, and )&+&)(&' 1 6 " 71" 7 He usually performed solo by his ex-wife Diana. !"##$#%&' or with percussionist Steve A celebration of Hector’s Nugent. life will be held at Durrum- 9/ : ; < According to close friend bul Hall this Friday from ()*+,- ./0 Lilliana Corredor, Hector emi- Byron Bay in the early nineties. who knew and loved him will 6pm. All those who wish to ,.1(23*-.1/45*66+ grated from Mexico to Sydney ‘He was one of the first Latinos sorely miss Hector. say farewell are welcome to ()*+3./0 in the eighties and settled in to settle in the Bay,’ she said. ‘All ‘And given he took a job as a attend the ceremony. ,.1(2--.1/45*,66+ ()*+77./0 ,.1(2--.1/4 5*6+ Council funding available to community groups Byron Shire Council is inviting childcare and youth services, granted to about 55 local com- au/expressions-of-interest. An community organisations, or festivals and sporting events, munity organisations, groups online application can also be 8 !! /" 7-" 7 9 #9 $: persons, to apply for Section environmental programs, edu- and individuals. Mayor Barham made at http://forms.byron.