A TICKET TO THE FUTURE SINCE 1986 – BAGGAGE FREE! The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 35 #16 • Wednesday, September 30, 2020 • www.echo.net.au Future funding for circus secured Mullum, Byron Bay rail with trail moves forward Paul Bibby The debate over the future of the Shire’s decommissioned rail line flared again at last week’s Council meeting, with councillors considering spending another $200,000 on the dream of getting trains back on the degraded line. With Council set to allocate further funds to the project at its next budget review, Coun- cillor Alan Hunter unsuccessfully moved that the plan be shelved until a benefactor with deep pockets could be found. ‘We need to stop talking about putting a train on the tracks until we get someone who’s going to underwrite our expenses, or to pick it up and build it,’ Cr Hunter said during an at-times fiery meeting. ‘There’s no way forward with the train – it’s just a sink-hole for money. ‘What we do have is clear support for Spaghetti Circus has received, for the first time, multi-year grant support for 2021 to 2024. General manager/creative producer Alice the bike and walking trail. There’s support Cadwell said the $85,000 per year is a $10,000 increase from previous years. Pictured are (front line) performers; Rosa Mordaunt, Jamalia here, in other Shires, across the country and Brenton, Anouk Schlueter and Anais Stewart. In the backline are Spag Circus founder Leone Mills, Ben Franklin MLC (Nationals), and NSW around the world’. Parlimentary Secretary for Energy and the Arts, Spag Circus General Manager Alice Cadwell, and Don Harwin MLC (Liberal Party), and NSW A report from Council staff tabled at the Minister for the Arts. Photo Jeff ‘Backflips Since 1986’ Dawson meeting recommended that further funds be allocated to the project to fund the development of a ‘robust business case’ and Byron’s coastal erosion sparks urgent meeting to determine the amount of work needed to make the line train-ready. Paul Bibby now within metres of the Beach restaurant convene a meeting of all land managers with Private consultants Arcadis Australia have and cafe. responsibility for the two beaches. made a proposal to Council to undertake a Severe coastal erosion at Clarkes Beach and ‘I walked along Main Beach on Sunday This will include Crown Lands, who have structural assessment of the 12-plus bridges Main Beach has prompted Byron Council to morning and was devastated at what had primary responsibility for managing the site. on the line using a ‘digital methodology’. call an urgent meeting with Crown Lands occurred just in the space of the previous seven The purpose of the meeting is to discuss The company, which has previously been and other stakeholders to discuss ways of days,’ Greens councillor Sarah Ndiaye said. the impact of various coastal processes on hired by Council to work on the rail project, addressing the issue. ‘To see one of the most beautiful beaches the beach, and to explore potential options quoted $200,000 for the work. Clarkes Beach has been particularly in the world gouged by the sea like that was for management. However, it has been suggested that the aff ected by the erosion over the past three shocking. The outcome will be reported to the next company significantly underestimated the months, with tonnes of sand stripped away ‘On a big swell at high tide waves could available Council meeting. number of bridges on the line, and that the exposing a rock shelf beneath. potentially break over the embankment.’ One matter likely to be discussed at the cost of the assessment could be closer to The beach is also littered with uprooted Under an urgency motion successfully meeting is the Lighthouse Road stormwater $500,000. pandanus trees, and the eroded dune line is moved by Cr Ndiaye, Council staff will ▶ Continued on page 4 ▶ Continued on page 5 Byron Shire The govt’s self-interest Byron Shire’s homeless School Mur’bah Council above the national interest women you won’t see on holidays fun magic Notices ▶ p12 – Mungo ▶ p14 Instagram – Mandy ▶ p16 times ▶ p20 ▶ p23 CRYSTAL CREEK RAINFOREST RETREAT A luxury rainforest getaway specialising in honeymoons and romantic escapes. 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Limits may apply. We reserve the right to correct printing errors. 2 The Byron Shire Echo ĕżƐĕŔćĕſǪǧǽǩǧǩǧ North Coast news daily in Echonetdaily www.echo.net.au Local News Byron Film Fest returns Oct 23 The Byron Bay International Film Festival returns in 2020 with a special edition hybrid festival to include select cinema screenings, a competition for independent filmmakers, and a unique virtual reality experience. Screening at Byron Bay’s Palace Cinemas and the Byron Theatre, the festival will run from October 23 to November 1. Festival director J’aimee Skippon-Volke says, ‘The 2020 festival will not be a business as usual event. Social distanc- Solar Power Sale Ends 30th August ing regulations will change was $3,190 now $2,190.00 the atmosphere and scale of 5.0KW what we deliver, but we’re 5.5KW was $3,290 now $2,290.00 still going to roll out the red carpet and bring audiences Festival directors, Ozzy Alfaro and J’aimee Skippon-Volke, and venue partners Byron 6.6KW was $3,390 now $2,390.00 the very best of world cinema Palace Theatre manager Eli Ayo and the Byron Community Centre General Manager, 7.0KW was $4,390 now $3,190.00 and screen events’. Louise O’Connell. Photo Jeff Dawson Apart from screenings, 8.1KW was $5,790 now $3,490.00 J’aimee says the festival will Joel Jackson, surfing royalty competition is judged by a diff icult time for them, as Lithium battery $6,788.00 still include a competition Layne Beachley, Bob Hurley, industry leaders, film buyers social distancing regulations 10KW celebrating the very best of and the first female big wave and distributors, who will mean capacities have been PHONE: 0419 991 557 independent filmmaking in world champion, Paige Alms. provide opportunities for dramatically lowered. Some Conditions apply 2020 and a special virtual real- those nominated, celebrat- thought that we might just ity experience at Byron’s iconic Industry leaders ing the independent and sit this year out, but we lighthouse under a full moon. Acknowledging that creative spirit of filmmaking. wanted to continue our work Morrison’s Daughter To Build And Negatively Celebrity judges for the this is a tough year for J’aimee added, ‘We during these uncertain times, event include acting legend filmmakers looking to get decided to go ahead with enabling us to return with a Gear Second Cubby House After Government’s Jack Thompson, actor David their films noticed, J’aimee presenting a Special Edition bigger better BBFF in 2021’. Relaxation Of Lending Regulations Wenham, artist/filmmaker says the festival has made of BBFF to support our For more information visit – ëƐſĶĈëōŕĕƱƆƆĕſưĶĈĕǽThe Shovel Lynette Wallworth, rising star sure that BBFF’s 2020 film venue partners too, this is www.bbff .com.au. www.echo.net.au/byron-echo Byron Shire Echo archives ĕżƐĕŔćĕſǪǧǽǩǧǩǧ The Byron Shire Echo 3 Local News For North Coast news online visit Politics in the pub returns October 7 Vale Richard Doggett With the demise of the Ngara one of the area’s foremost interests?’ reflected in his tireless work Macadamia farmer and local Institute, Turning Point Talks activists, Aidan Ricketts. Organisers say Mr Ricketts to coordinate non-violent identity, Richard Doggett, has emerged to fill the void Mr Ricketts is SCU School of is ‘a brilliant, clear speaker, protests against CSG, coal was found dead on Friday and present the popular Law and Justice lecturer and with a warm personality and mining and deforestation aft er a farm accident at Num- The Activists’ Hand- politics in the pub events. author of poetic use of words’. here and in Vanuatu’. ulgi. He was 72-years-old. book: A Step-by-Step Guide to The first event under the ‘Aidan inspires and Owing to COVID-19, Richard was well known Participatory Democracy new name is on October 7 . informs, as few can. His pas- audience numbers through both his association at the Mullumbimby Court- His speech is titled ‘Con- sionate commitment to the are limited – book via with the Richmond AFL club house Hotel, and features spiracy or same old vested Australian environment is www.turningpointtalks.com.