THE BYRON SHIRE & Volume 25 #18 th al y Tuesday, October 5, 2010 e ut Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 h a Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 e [email protected] b [email protected] www.echo.net.au page 18 21,000 copies every week YOU GRAB THE ANKLES AND I’LL GRAB THE WRISTS Children rescued from Looking through the Voyeur floodwaters Police and emergency services work- ers are being praised following a dar- ing rescue which saved two young children from a vehicle washed away by floodwaters at Upper Wilsons Creek. According to a police report, at about 11:15pm on Sunday a 42-year- old woman and her two children, aged six and four, were in a Mitsubishi Outlander when it was washed off a causeway about one kilometre north of the intersection of Wilsons Creek Road and Upper Wilsons Creek Road. The mother managed to get out of the vehicle; however, the Outlander was washed away by floodwaters be- fore she could remove her son and daughter. Police and other emergency ser- vices attended, but due to the height of the floodwaters, it was impossible for vehicles to cross safely. A local resident helped to string a rope across the causeway, enabling a senior constable and two Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) personnel to cross on foot. The resident then led the police officer and VRA work- ers to the vehicle, which was trapped downstream about three metres from the river bank in extremely fast flow- ing water. A VRA worker climbed onto the Outlander’s roof and removed the four-year-old boy and six-year-old The Voyeur Byron’s Fashion Exposé, a fundraiser for the Byron Community Centre, packed the house full of local fashionistas last Friday night. The event girl via the sunroof. showcased 11 local designers, and 30 models rocked down the catwalk in uniquely Byron Bay based fashions. It was not all fashion; Circus Arts, local musi- The children were then passed from cians, DJ Grant Smillie and the afterparty at La La Land made it a fantastic night out. This year’s face of Voyeur Byron Bay is 23 year old local model Chloe officer to officer until they reached the Malouf-Dowse, pictured left. Pictured centre is Ellie, wearing this year’s winning outfit from Muther Of All Things. Amanda Bennett, pictured right, is wear- safety of the river bank. ing an IDIS Design, who was this year’s winning Voyeur Designer. For more photos visit offmyfacebook.com.au/Photo Jeff ‘Fashion Faux Pas’ Dawson. Acting Northern Region Com- mander, Detective Superintendent Max Mitchell, praised the police of- Page takes Bruns residents’ concerns to Minister ficer and other rescuers for their brav- ery and quick-thinking. Ballina MP Don Page is taking resi- ‘The concerns related to the effects ‘I have written to the Minister for setback measurements used to deter- ‘The senior constable, VRA work- dents’ concerns about the proposed of the proposed development on the Lands and the NSW Ombudsman mine the realignment of boundaries. ers and the local resident worked to- Plan of Management for Brunswick amenity of Brunswick Heads and the raising these concerns. I am awaiting Organisers say over 200 concerned gether to ensure the incident didn’t Heads crown land to the NSW lands residents of the Terrace and Massy responses to my representations.’ people turned up to the rally on Sun- end in tragedy,’ Det Supt Mitchell said. minister and the Ombudsman. Greene caravan parks,’ Mr Page said The information omitted from the day September 19. Mayor Jan Barham ‘I’d like to congratulate the police The Land and Property Manage- in a press release. ‘There were also public display documents included and Crs Di Woods and Tom Tabart officer for his actions, and also say ment Authority (LPMA) exhibition concerns about certain information details about the proposed accom- spoke at the rally and all expressed thanks to all emergency services of the plan resulted in a public rally that was not included in the publicly modation development and details their grave concerns at the LPMA’s teams involved in the operation.’ against many of the proposals. displayed documents. about the mean high water mark and continued on page 2 ABN 82 087 650 682 <echowebsection=Local News> Local News MICHAEL CURRIE Council staff ‘double standard’ over tree removal Hans Lovejoy FUNERALS A stoush over the removal ‘Gentle Dignity’ of trees came to a head last Affordable Funerals with the Shire’s week after council staff – as- sisted by police – removed only locally owned Funeral home three trees from a Suffolk Park nature-strip. Mullumbimby David Hancock and Gabriel 15 Towers Drive, 6684 6232 Rosati claim that despite ap- proval for tree planting, they were asked to remove trees @Lightforce Computers that they had planted in front of their property. ‘A visiting building inspector Insane iMac Sale! advised us we were required to alter plans for the roadside On Sealed Box - New & Closeout cross-over after we planted five 21.5” & 27” iMacs w/Full Apple Warranty! trees on the nature-strip. We had our draughtsman alter the plans and took them to coun- iMac MB950X/A SALE cil. On the August 31, 2009, the 21.5” LCD 3.06 GHz C2D $1349 same inspector took our pay- 4Gb RAM • 500Gb HD ment of $240.00 and signed the plans. Orig. $1588 NOW $1349 ‘A month later a letter ar- The two say they had been ‘The combination of height Our Final Stock - ‘New inBox Faulkner responds ’ rived saying that only two of building a house and had ad- and spiny leaves could cause With Full Apple Warranty the trees were approved and hered to the process that it in- Byron Shire Council general injury to people walking or cy- Add 2Gb Add’l RAM: $49 Add Applecare for $229 the others had to be removed volves, including payment of manager Graeme Faulkner cling on the paths,’ Mr Faulkner forthwith. We refused to re- all the fees. said numerous requests to re- said. ‘In order to retain the two move the trees as we had a move the trees on the Suffolk grass plants a second approval iMac MC413X/A SALE signed plan and receipt for it.’ Documents were Park nature strip had been is- was issued.’ 21.5” LCD 3.06 GHz C2D $1449 sued since the beginning of 6Gb RAM • 1000Gb HD Double standards ‘whited-out’ the year. He said the dragon ‘White-out’ was to trees and a cycad were planted Orig. $1999 NOW $1449 Mr Hancock claims GM ‘Later a senior compliance Graeme Faulkner could give no as mature trees by the resident distinguish plans Previous ‘top line’ 21.5” model officer admitted to us that rational explanation for coun- council had “stuffed-up”, and on Council managed land and Mr Faulkner said Council With Full Apple Warranty cil’s decision to remove the despite our best efforts no at- were not Council approved. provided a second stamped Add MS Home Office 2008 $199 Add Applecare for $229 three trees apart from vague tempt at negotiation resolved ‘The original approval was amended plan in order to dis- reference to public safety. the issue. In an entirely illegal issued for a driveway crossover tinguish between the plans ap- ‘When I asked how Council act, someone in council “whit- as per the application. The five proved and to clarify that the iMac MC508X/A SALE could construe that a Cycad ed-out” the original signature plants and a letterbox were not two grass trees were now able 21.5” LCD 3.06 GHz i3 $1577 was safe in the streets of Mul- and re-presented the altered approved.’ He claims three of to be retained. 4Gb RAM • 500Gb HD lumbimby but unsafe in Suf- plans to us as the original. the plants were assessed as un- ‘Unfortunately the unap- folk Park I again drew a blank. Senior Council management suitable under Council’s ‘Plant- proved trees were not removed RRP $1599 NOW $1577 Cycads and Dragon trees fes- including the General Man- ing and Landscaping on Foot- by the residents and resulted in Current Stock w/Intel i3 cpu toon our suburb but ours have ager have acted like a cartel of paths and Nature Strips within a fine being issued and Council Add MS Home Office 2008 $199 Add Applecare for $229 been removed for no discern- schoolyard bully-boys,’ says Ms Road Reserves and Drainage removing the trees,’ he said. able reason.’ Rosati. Easements’ policy. Photo Jeff Dawson iMac MB952X/A SALE continued from page 1 to retain affordable holidays for enjoyed the natural pleasures between what was on public the people of NSW and camp- of the Terrace Reserve but exhibition and maps used by 27” LCD 3.06 GHz C2D plans for Brunswick Heads. $1849 Crs Cameron and Richardson ing and caravan sites are the if the state government goes Council in order to consider 6Gb RAM • 1000Gb HD preferred option, not upmarket ahead with these plans the the proposed compulsory land also attended the rally as did cabins.’ reserve will become a fenced acquisitions. Orig. $2199 NOW $1849 Greens MLC Ian Cohen. Our Final Stock - ‘New inBox’ Local resident of 80 years, and gated resort for fee paying Ms Warren believes it is crit- ‘The Government’s proposal D’Arcy O’Meara, spoke of his tourists. ical that public access along the With Full Apple Warranty for upmarket tourist accom- Add MS Home Office 2008 $199 Add Applecare for $229 disbelief that a state govern- Local resident Patricia War- foreshores be kept outside the modation to meet an unclari- ment turned developer could ren spoke of her constant bat- operational area of the caravan fied industry demand defies steal public parkland from a tle for over ten years with the parks otherwise it will be lost SALE the fact that the commercial community and turn it into a LPMA and its ongoing presen- forever.