THE BYRON SHIRE LOCAL Volume 23 #44 RUGBY LEAGUE Tuesday, April 14, 2009 SEASON PREVIEW – page 27 Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 [email protected] [email protected] www.echo.net.au 21,000 copies every week ONE SMALL LEAP FOR WHIMSY Tree removals prompt local concerns Hans Lovejoy court and had it approved. To Chase was removed was done so based on Blues fully sick Property’s credit, since they have been the requirement of the RTA to have Concerned residents mobilised last involved they have gone out of their four lane access to the roundabout. Wednesday to highlight concern over way to work with Council to keep the It is our understanding that the RTA the removal of a Melaleuca tree on the existing trees. They approached us was adamant that four lanes exist at roundabout on Fletcher Street next and wanted to work with us to main- the roundabout despite objections to the Byron Bay library. Coordina- tain the aesthetic of the street.’ from Council.’ tor of the action Cheze Malaika told Concerns this could prompt the In related news, a mature Eucalyp- The Echo that the developers of the RTA to use the DA to widen the road tus and Paperbark tree were cut down new construction behind the Great and remove the trees are also un- at Byron Bay primary school last Fri- Northern Hotel, Chase Property, have founded, according to Cr Barham. day. According to Ms Malaika, the the legal right to remove five trees on ‘The DA is specific to this develop- Department of Education contracted the street. Her concern was that there ment and any roadworks and tree a private company for the job. ‘Parents would be more trees removed. removal would have to be a new sub- were advised there would be exten- The claims are refuted by Bart Elias mission to Council.’ sions to the classrooms, but were not from Chase Property and Mayor Jan Mr Elias reiterated Cr Barham’s alerted to the tree removal.’ Barham. Cr Barham said, ‘The origi- comments that there will be no more A Fig tree and Poinciana are also nal DA for the development – before trees removed from Fletcher Street. ‘It earmarked for removal at the school Chase Property were involved – asked was our initiative along with Council on Tuesday, weather permitting. for permission for the removal of five to preserve these trees despite the ap- Ms Malaika has appealed to the trees on the street. provals.’ community to be on alert for any ‘After it was rejected by Council, the When asked who gave the go ahead more tree removals around Byron then developer Tom Mooney went for the first tree to be removed, Mr Bay. An SMS can be sent to her on to the The Land and Environment Elias responded, ‘The only tree that 0411 843 384. Nimbin’s Polite Force case the joint in Byron Bay Neither mud nor rain nor sniffer dogs could stop enthusiasts from wading into the Bluesfest to see the likes of Seasick Steve, pictured above. Now in his sixties, Seasick Steve won this year’s Mojo Best Breakthrough Act award. According to his agents Bronzerat.com, ‘Steve Wold left home at 14 to a lengthy freight-train-hopping and migrant-working hobo lifestyle, before eventually “settling” in Tennessee (via San Francisco, UK, Hawaii, Tennessee, Washington State and god knows where else – he married his Norwegian wife 25 years ago and they’ve lived in 56 different houses). ‘He became Seasick Steve fairly recently, so nicknamed after an ill-advised ferry journey… He released the first album by Seasick Steve & The Level Devils in 2004, and just as things started rolling along quite nicely he suf- fered a massive heart attack and lost his studio. No biggie, makes for a good song or two.… We all love a good story and a good song, and Seasick Steve Nimbin’s Polite Force showed off its new inflatable Big Joint at Byron Bay last Friday, while issuing Mellowness is king of the yarn, duke of the hot blues lick.’ Cautions as a prelude to the Mardi Grass on May 1-2. Inhale more at www.nimbinmardigrass.com/2009 and see Photo Jeff ‘Blind Avocado’ Dawson. See more Bluesfest 09 photos in the Comment, page 10. Photo Jeff ‘Mmmm:… Inflatable’ Dawson. Events section of our gallery at www.echo.net.au. enrich your spirit www.crystalcastle.com.au Open 7 Days 10am-5pm (NSW time) 81 Monet Drive, Mullumbimby 40 mins from Tweed Heads 20 mins from Byron Bay (02) 6684 3111 Local News ‘Fringe dwellers’ call for more councillor input Hats on parade A new action group called orders or instigating any legal by absentee real estate interests can be demolition, removal of a ‘Byron FringeDwellers’ is call- action. who seem unconcerned about sole income source and the forc- ing on Byron Shire council- ‘The information we have is the effect on local housing stock. ing of people out of the area. lors to limit staff action on that Council during 2008 is- Rural landowners may be asset- ‘We ask elected councillors illegal dwellings. In a press sued minor fines over noise rich but they are often income- that instead of shooting the release last Monday the group infringement but no orders to poor, while their tenants just messenger or hiding in em- said, ‘We’ve become aware desist from further holiday let- want somewhere to live. barrassment they move a reso- that Council in 2006 passed ting. This amounts to a mora- ‘the impact of Council’s com- lution so that after the initial a resolution to prevent staff torium where holiday letting pliance regime is disproportion- staff investigation, any further from acting off their own bat is de facto legal as long as the ate where in the case of holiday action must have the prior ap- in relation to holiday letting renters behave themselves. letting the worst-case result is proval of the elected Council, and requiring them to report ‘Such a moratorium would merely lower rental income, but with appropriate submissions to Council before issuing any be the result of loud lobbying with illegal dwellings the result from those affected.’ Local man dies following attempted surf rescue A Main Arm man died last on Sunday a 14-year-old girl attempt to help her friend but the shore where two passing Sunday after attempting to entered the waters of an unpat- also began to struggle. registered nurses commenced save his sister and a friend as rolled beach at New Brighton The 35-year-old brother of resuscitation until the arrival of they struggled in surf at New apparently became caught in a one of the girls then entered the ambulance. Officers contin- Brighton beach. According to a rip. The second 14-year-old girl the water and also encountered ued to perform CPR, however police report, shortly after 2pm then entered the water in an problems in the turbulent wa- the man died at the scene. ters. A number of people walk- One of the girls was treated ing along the beach noticed the and released at hospital and the Need a Hammer? trio signalling for assistance and other was not injured. Over 400 trade services helped them from the water. A brief will be prepared for listed at www.echo.net.au The man was dragged onto the information of the Coroner. UÊ Over 2300 online listings already Surfboard helps Uncle Project UÊ Basic Listings are free and in- clude name, short description, The Uncle Project has kindly a Brett Munro a 6’2” x 2.0’ x 2 Ocean Shores Public School children got into the swing of the contact and category UÊ Featured Listings available been donated a surfboard by ¼ retro style new age perform- Easter season last Thursday when they took part in the school’s – your very own uniquely local shaper Brett Munro to ance surfboard. If there are any annual hat parade. Feathers, floppy ears and all things fluffy designed web page, complete raise funds for the organisation. buyers keen to support Uncle adorned the headgear of children in the parade for family and with maps, images, logos and banner The board has been signed by just go to eBay, type in Brett teachers and kinder students Josh, Holly and Jordan all went for current world surfing cham- Munro/Kelly Slater and make the chirpy chick and chocolate theme or their festive toppers. www.echo.net.au | phone 6684 1777 or 6685 5222 pion Kelly Slater. The board is your bid! Photo Eve Jeffery. CATCH NRL ON YOUR NEW TELSTRA T6. AND YOU THOUGHT THE BEACH COULDN’T GET ANY BETTER. The Telstra T6 was made for you - perfect for NRL video replays, highlights, live scores and $ * 1 129 more . Exclusive to Telstra - with a blue tick rating for rural handheld coverage, 2 megapixel with Telstra Pre-Paid camera, up to 4GB expandable memory and stereo Bluetooth - it delivers the lot. 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