Water Carriers up in Arms Over Rous Water Price Hikes

THE BYRON SHIRE ECHO Advertising & news enquiries: >ÀÌÞÊ>ÞLiÀÀÞ½Ã Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 *>À>Þ«VÃ Fax 02 6684 1719 -iiÊ-«ÀÌ [email protected] [email protected] http://www.echo.net.au VOLUME 20 #43 TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2006 22,300 copies every week $1 at newsagents only TOO MUCH PLANNING IS NEVER ENOUGH Water carriers up in arms over An outbreak of peace Rous Water price hikes Alex McAuley pools and bought for busi- however, are surprised by the Furthermore, with the The trebling of water costs nesses when there was such extent of the changes, which revoking of the standpipe and changes to water cartage an extreme water shortage, they claim will have a huge licences, the cartage compa- arrangements have left local and that it would impact on impact on those relying on nies will be using a new swipe water carriers up in arms. those who really needed it,’ tank water should we experi- card system which means Last year, Rous Water took said Mr Franklin. ence another long dry spell. that every time they fi ll up, over from local councils as ‘There was a problem with A spokesperson for one they will be automatically the regulating authority on water carriers fi lling up any- company explained that the charged on their credit card. all water fi lling stations after where they felt like, often number of designated fi lling In a long dry spell, this could problems experienced dur- without paying for the water. stations has been cut back represent up to six or seven ing the last extended dry They were also fi lling up out- dramatically. ‘Previously, transactions in a day, which period. Wayne Franklin, side residences at all hours of there were seven fi lling sta- will in turn mean increased Operational Services Man- the day and night, leaving a tions in Byron Shire, however bank charges. ager at Rous Water, explained muddy mess behind them. now there are only two: one The most significant that there were numerous ‘We [Rous Water] con- at Tyagarah and one in Ban- change, however, is the per complaints during the last sulted with all the local coun- galow,’ she said. kilolitre cost increase that drought about water carriers’ cils and it was agreed that we ‘That represents a consider- came into play on March 1. practices and what the water would assume authority over able increase in our fuel costs It was anticipated that the was being used for. all water fi lling stations in when we have to travel longer price would rise from $1.10 ‘People were concerned order to better regulate water distances to fill up. Those per kL to $1.89 per kL, how- that truck loads of water were usage.’ increases will have to be passed ever it has in fact increased being put into swimming The cartage companies, on to the customer.’ to $3.10 per kL, a whopping 182% rise. ‘We’ll have to pass on all Tributes fl ow in for King of surf those cost increases,’ said the spokesperson. ‘It will mean that the cost of filling an Dean Jefferys, who spent months in Iraq prior to the Axis of Right- average tank will go from eous’ ‘Liberation’ three years ago, joined 150 others in a Peace Vigil about $90 to as much as in Byron Bay on Saturday to mark the third anniversary of the Iraq $150 or $160 depending on Invasion and to send their congratulations to President Bush. Jeff continued on page 2 ‘Oil’s Well That Ends Well’ Dawson Regional strategy has vision but no teeth Lesley Patterson have said the document concentrating most of the Created to manage the Far needs more work. growth into existing urban North Coast (FNC) Region’s The Strategy, which was areas and restricting new future development patterns, produced by the NSW urban development areas. the Draft FNC Regional Department of Planning, In a letter to NSW Strategy has been widely predicts over 60,000 people Planning Minister, Frank criticised as a toothless will be moving to the Far Sartor, a group of local tiger since its launch last North Coast over the next citizens representing the week. 25 years representing a 26% Northern Rivers Regional Ballina MP Don Page said population increase. If Development Board, the the Strategy lacks substance current trends were to Social Development Council, Tributes have been flowing in for respected surfer and Byron Bay resident Ben King who died and detail and failed to continue, around 75% of the the Northern Rivers Urban unexpectedly on Sunday March 12. One measure of the man’s popularity is the overwhelming quan- address the region’s region’s future additional Design Awards and the tity of flowers sent to his home which have been fashioned into over 30 wreaths by friends. Around infrastructure needs, housing would be located Small Business Advisory 300 bags of flower petals will be scattered over the ocean in remembrance of this special man dur- environmental groups have east of the Pacifi c Highway, Council has called for major ing the paddle out from Main Beach this morning (Tuesday) by friends and fellow surfers. The paddle said it leaves the doors wide says the strategy, leading to changes to the plan. out will be followed by the funeral at St Finbarrs Church in Byron Bay at 2pm. Ben King’s son Kurtis open to continued ad hoc further pressure on ‘You have set out the (second from the right) with fellow Byron Bay Boardriders Club members Ed Riordan, Bryce Cameron sprawling development of infrastructure and sensitive vision, however the lack of and Paul Sullivan, took out time last week to visit Cosy Corner, which held a special place in Ben’s the region and a group of environments. The Strategy detail and implementation heart as his favourite surfing spot. Photo Jeff Dawson prominent local residents aims to counter this by continued on page 2 2 March 21, 2006 Byron Shire Echo www.echo.net.au Local News Regional strategy draws objections D]QT[XTePQ[T From front page measures in the draft strategy means that the vision out- lined is unlikely to be achieved,’ it says, going on to ask for fi rm guidelines for developers to follow and clearer plans for the provi- sion of future infrastructure. The Total Environment Centre, which was involved with the early community consultation on the plan, says the ‘draft is not the future we’ve been asking for. It downplays many environmental considerations such @kjkil\ as biodiversity. It allows development to occur beyond strict growth boundaries. And many of the good planning principles in previous ?`^_$\e[_Xe[j\kjfe plans and strategies for this region are gone.’ Some of those criticising the strategy, from left, Tony Shaw, Regional Vice President, Australian leY\c`\mXYcpcfn$gi`Z\[gcXej% ‘The draft Strategy fails to Business Limited, Steve Connelly, member of the Technical Advisory Group, Far North Coast Strategy, deliver on many of the key Valerie Thompson, member of the Technical Advisory Group, Far North Coast Strategy , Katrina Luckie, J`dgc\% fundamentals for this region executive director, Northern Rivers Regional Development Board, Sharon Cadwallader, business - that is, protection of our bio- development manager for the Northern Rivers, Australian Business Limited. Photo Caroline Desmond diversity, our world-class environment, our landscapes, our the region and takes on board ping to include environmen- planning regulations. coastlines and not at all least, a lot of work that was done tal and hazard restraints and The strategy can be viewed <^câ^[P our communities,’ said TEC during the Northern Rivers says there are some questions on the web at www.planning. B0E4 A0IAE" Far North Coast regional Regional Strategy. For Byron over the land release areas for nsw.gov.au or copies are avai- planner Valerie Thompson. Shire there has been a recog- Lennox Head, Ballina and lable from Byron Shire !#( One person who has nition that we are an impor- Evans Head, but overall is Council. Submissions should applauded the plan and what tant tourism area and can’t positive about the Strategy. be sent to the Department of D?5A>=C it delivers for Byron Shire is afford high population Byron Shire’s local plan- Planning, Locked Bag 10, >=hTb!$?;0= Mayor Jan Barham. ‘I think growth,’ she said. ning documents will not be Grafton NSW 2460 or !#\^]cWb the document in terms of a Cr Barham says she sup- superseded by the Strategy, emailed to northcoast long term vision does address ports the Total Environment she said and development @planning.nsw.gov.au before ;`^`kXc:Xd\iX core guiding principles for Centre’s calls for better map- will be governed by local May 10. DG*Iè^kfe\j 9cl\kffk_ LckiX$k_è]c`g Carters arc up then we can review the situ- The ARC sets sail ation,’ said Mr Franklin. ‘In From front page the past, the cartage compa- The Autonomous Regions Garth Kindred will deliver a how far away from the desig- nies have been buying water Coalition (ARC) has been brief presentation on why we nated fi lling station the tank from us below cost; we’ve formed to research options should more vigorously pur- BP\bd]V is. It will be a major fi nancial increased the price to cover and generate discussion on sue regional strategies and 3% B0E4 strain for some people, and the cost of the water and the the best ways to achieve and solutions, and seek to some- ! water isn’t something you cost of the upgrade of the maximise local autonomy in what radically revamp our $!( can live without.’ fi lling stations.

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