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 20 #54 30%#)!, TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 2006 !..)6%23!29 ,)&4/54 22,300 copies every week $1 at newsagents only WHY WERE WE BORN SO BEAUTIFUL? Upgrade of current highway Echo escapes teenage years at last gets community vote Lesley Patterson east, and the most easterly received during the exhibi- Upgrading the Pacifi c High- option route D descends the tion period; the 320 signato- way along its existing align- coastal escarpment to run ries asked for the highway to ment was overwhelmingly along the coastal fl ats through be upgraded within the exist- the favoured solution in pub- Newrybar Swamp. ing highway corridor. lic submissions to the RTA The United Voices submis- Submissions were also on the Ewingsdale to Tinten- sion chose not to endorse received from Byron and bar section. any of the four route options, Ballina Shire Councils, the An astonishing 19,182 but stated that the highway Department of Environment submissions were received by should be upgraded within and Conservation (DEC), the RTA on the route options the existing corridor. It also Rous Water and several other exhibited. Just under 750 asked for interstate freight to agencies. people fi lled in the RTA’s be returned to the New Eng- Options A and B appeared official feedback form, land Highway and investiga- to pose the least number of around 400 other submis- tion start on an alternative issues said the submission sions were received, but the inland freight route. from DEC. Option A will majority (18,012) were from Among the 750 respond- have the least noise impact the group called United ents using the offi cial RTA according to DEC. ‘Whilst Voices, according to the feedback form a combina- options B, C and D impact RTA’s report on the Route tion of route option A and B on fewer receivers than Options Submissions. received the most support, option A, they impact on Four routes had been followed by option A which receivers who currently expe- shortlisted by the RTA all of most closely follows the exist- rience low background and which utilise a tunnel under ing highway. The coastal low local traffi c noise levels,’ St Helena Hill. Routes A route, option D, was the third reads the submission. and B run to the east and most popular, followed by a It goes on to say that along the existing highway; combination of C and D and options A and B are also route C branches off from lastly option C. likely to have the least poten- route B to run further to the Only one petition was tial to adversely affect biodi- versity. ‘One SEPP 14 wet- land occurs within the path The Echo celebrated its 20th Acknowledged eccentric Jim Nutter, above left, won the Eccentric Durrumbul’s bear day out of option D north of Midgen birthday on Saturday night Jason. Top right, control freaks Mandy Nolan and Pavitar largely Flat Road, DEC recom- with The Jasons awards at put the night together; the drunk and disorderly; Joanne Langton, mends that the proposed the Bangalow A&I Hall. Jan Barham (yes, this is really our mayor), and Richard Jones; bot- routes avoid SEPP 14 wet- Guest speaker Richard Nev- tom right, Djuul Price, Echo paymistress and fill-in photographer lands wherever possible,’ the ille spoke eloquently on free- Louise Beaumont, and Echo production supremo Ziggi Browning. submissions reads. dom of the press (and the Photos Eve Jeffery and Louise Beaumont Also of concern to DEC is multinationals’ hold on the impact on ‘sensitive mainstream media) while Gould took the Protecting the Green Jason went to artist receiving waters such as comedian Jonathan Atherton Underdog Jason for work with Howie Cooke for his environ- SEPP 14 wetlands and fl ood- explored the hilarious vagar- the free breakfast at the Byron mental activism in relation to plains. The extent of fl ood- ies of language. Bay community centre. protecting whales and clean- plain crossed by options C The Echo gave out eight Jas- The Young Jason went to ing up cigarette butts.The and D will require signifi cant ons to community members. hardcore musician Luke Kil- Eccentric Jason went to Jim engineering works during Bangalow identity the late Kaye patrick for providing youth Nutter for, well, eccentricity. construction to ensure the Hall was awarded the Gold events to the local commu- A couple of Jasons expressed stability of the carriageway Jason for community service, nity. Luke’s father accepted our in-house appreciation. and associated bridges and and the award was accepted by the award as Luke and his Receptionist Felicity Gaze culverts’. Kaye’s sister Helen Bebbington band Parkway Drive were received the Jason’s Favourite Conversely Rous Water in a moving speech. about to perform in Paris. Bitch award while MC for the Elise Duffey, Jackson Benson and Kane Dale didn’t go down to the expressed concern about all The Volunteer Jason went Jill Eddington won the Artsy night Mandy Nolan was woods to join the teddy bears’ picnic, but found it at the Durrum- options except D and a com- to Dee Tipping for her com- Jason for her dedicated work awarded the Bending Over bul Big Day Out on Saturday. It was exhausting work and the bination of C and D. In its munity work including reduc- with the Northern Rivers Backwards For Love Jason for former Durrumbul Preschool students enjoyed a cuddly nap with submission Rous Water raised ing plastic bag use and raising Writers Centre and the Byron giving her time to so many their bear-st friends. Photo Jeff ‘There’s a bear in there’ Dawson continued on page 2 funds for The Buttery. Gwen Bay Writers Festival. The community events. 2 June 6, 2006 Byron Shire Echo www.echo.net.au Local News Plans for Making hay while the trees plant Main Arm A detailed pictured of future development in Main Arm 7ELOVETHE%CHO village should be available to residents in the next few weeks. Byron Shire Council’s director of planning, Ray Darney, told The Echo that a draft Local Environment Plan, draft Development Control Plan and a Devel- oper Contributions Plan (Section 94) will be placed on public exhibition in the coming weeks. A public information day is also planned to answer residents’ questions about Lightforce “NO GST”10% Sale! the expansion of the village Present this ad for: iBooks starting at $1399 • 10% off all and explain the draft docu- The serious business of planting trees was replaced for a short time by a mulch fight at St John’s flash drives • 10% off Netgear ADSL kit • 10% off Wireless ments. Council is currently School in Mullumbimby last Friday. The banks of the Brunswick River have benefited from the addi- Antennas • 10% off Epson Printers 10% off Logitech Mice • 10% considering four applications tion of 150 casuarina and native rainforest trees as each child in the school planted a tree thanks to off STM laptop bags & gloves • eMacs starting at $800! • 10% for community title and vil- a grant from Brunswick Valley Landcare and Mullumbimby’s Mitre 10. Over the past year weeds such off JBL Creatures • 10% off all Sennheiser phones • 10% off lage developments within as morning glory and Japanese sunflower have slowly been eradicated by the pupils and landcarers select Altec Speakers • 10% off Power Backups • 10% off all Main Arm Village. and the riverside environment returned to its native state. Photo Jeff ‘Baled Up’ Dawson wires & cables • 10% off select Apple Warrantys • 10% off all CD & DVD’s • 10% off select Canon Scanners & Printers • 10% off RAM • 10% off select Software (Photoshop Elements - MS Office 2004 - You Synchronize Backup - Tech Tools Pro & more) Baha’i community fearful for Iran friends and miscellaneous Demo stuff: drastically reduced!* Members of the Baha’i com- sanctioned newspapers, radio Following the establish- relatively new, progressive munity in Byron Shire are and television in recent ment of the Islamic govern- religion which respects all fearful for the safety of their months. ment in Iran in 1979, virtu- other faiths, including Islam, counterparts in Iran follow- ‘We are shocked and fear- ally the entire leadership of and its followers, despite New Macbook & Macbook Pros now available! All iPods in Stock! ing the release of a confi den- ful at this latest development, the Iranian Baha’i commu- their persecution, bear Mus- tial document revealing that which suggests the Iranian nity was arrested and exe- lims no grudge. Lightforce Computers Iranian authorities are taking authorities are preparing to cuted or disappeared. ‘In my opinion, the Islamic “Byron’s Mac Centre & one stop for all things iPod ” steps to identify and monitor unleash a new wave of perse- Others have been denied government considers Baha’i mon-thur 10-6 • fri 10-5 • sat 10-1 at all Baha’is living in Iran. The cution against Baha’is in all rights to religious free- to be a threat because of its 1/10 Brigantine St. Byron Bay 6685 8796 United Nations Special Rap- Iran,’ said Brian Wiese speak- dom, worship and assembly progressiveness,’ said Mr *sale pricing limited to stock on hand -sorry- no rainchecks porteur on Freedom of Reli- ing on behalf of Baha’i mem- as well as subjected to dis- Wiese. gion and Belief, Asha bers in Byron Shire. criminatory laws limiting ‘Baha’i doctrine embraces Jahangir, is concerned that ‘It is ominously reminis- employment, pensions and equal rights for women, the results of such monitor- cent of the early 1980s when higher education.