Letters
Brunswick foreshore revisited I saw Jan Barham’s article in The Echo in support of Byron Shire Council’s motion 9.3 on Brunswick Heads parkland and acknowledge all the points made; there’s been a lot of bad blood and great injustice. So why did I put forward a rescission motion? I didn’t feel comfortable with the decision we made. The motion changed too much on the floor, and we didn’t discuss it or get legal or planning advice. I knew that it would have an adverse impact on our ability to negotiate the best outcome on the foreshore, especially for The Terrace. Motion 9.3 was perceived by the NSW Crown Holiday Parks Trust (NSWCHPT) as a deemed refusal, putting them in a position where to continue to operate they would revert to the previously approved 2014 Plan of Management (PoM) – while
highly unpopular they have ministerial approval for it. People have worked for years to get certain crucial aspects of the PoM changed. The 10m setbacks, unfettered access along the foreshore, smaller footprint, fewer beds, cabins off most of the foreshore, public access to launching areas, boat ramps and any other gains the community has fought for, like public playgrounds and extra parking, were all in jeopardy. My alternative proposal does not approve the current plans for The Terrace and seeks to continue to negotiate for a better outcome with community involvement, but we do allow for the current plans for Massey Greene and Ferry Reserve to go on exhibition. Please look at the revised maps (council agenda p5–8), remember back to original plans with boardwalks, tiny
Peculiar disease
causing them to fall prey to snake-oil merchants offering supposedly quick and easy solutions to flooding issues in the local area. Fortunately there is an easy remedy to these diseases – a daily dose of getagripus australiensis, marketed as Commonsense, offers sure protection in almost all cases. A few individuals seem to miss out on this protection, and one unfortunate resident of the area has suffered from all three of these diseases for some 30 years, and his critical thought faculties are completely mangled. It seems his constitution has developed a strong resistance to Commonsense.
Reports are emerging that the recent flood in the Marshalls Creek area has led to the emergence of a most peculiar disease. This disease, floodoutletus ridiculousus, and the closely related rockwallus removalus and riverine dredginitis, affect the critical thought faculties of victims,
Letters to the Editor Send to Letters Editor Michael McDonald, fax: 6684 1719 email: editor@echo.net.au Deadline: Noon, Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. Letters already published in other papers will not be considered. Please include your full name, address and phone
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foreshore paths (where they had them), limited, timed access, cabins all along the foreshore, boat ramps only accessible through a boom gate and all the other absurdity. Tell me this isn’t a whole lot better, and that’s because people like you cared, protested, lobbied, had input, emailed, called, researched and invested your time and energy – and it worked. The bitter pill we have to swallow is that, under the Local Government Act 2005, Council is unable to grant approval or impose any condition of approval that the NSWCHPT objects to without the minister’s consent. To lose what we’ve gained with legal action, in this instance, would not be serving the community at all. Cr Sarah Ndiaye Byron Bay Q See news story on page 1
For most people, though, a daily dose of Commonsense is all they need to avoid these snake oil merchants. Matthew Lambourne Mullumbimby
Mullum masterplan
I wish to point out the real value of the old part of Mullumbimby being a Heritage Conservation Area. Although there are very many wonderful timber homes and buildings in this area (and you need to get out of the car and walk slowly around the streets to really appreciate that) the other issue is the preservation of the small rural village feeling and unique culture of our town.
If this area isn’t protected, in a very short time the older homes will be demolished and new modern houses will be built and we will finish up like the other small villages near the coast that have turned into urban nightmares. So if you love the vibe of the town we as a community need to express this clearly in the Mullum Masterplan and give thanks that we are lucky enough to have had this area declared a Heritage Conservation Area just in time before the speculative developers got here. Len Bates Mullumbimby Community Representative, BSC Heritage Advisory Committee
northern rivers when I was young and did not return until last year when I purchased a working farm with Lacks Creek running the full length
THE HEALTH LODGE
Byron Integrated Medicine
A warm welcome to the newest member of the team
Dr Camilla White MBBS, Holistic Health Coach llN.
Available to continue the care of patients who have recently lost their wonderful doctor, Dr Inga Schader. Treating patients with a similar caring nature, Camilla specialises in women’s and children’s health using nutrition and preventive medicine working integratively with Dr Oscar Serrallach and Dr Marcus Hewitson.
Q See Comment, page 16 – Ed
Pocket distillery
I am a farmer on Middle Pocket Road. My parents were farmers and my grandparents were farmers. All my extended family were farmers. Like many, I left the
THE
of the property. This property was a huge investment because of the excellent water supply with Lacks Creek continued on next page
Long and short consultations available with the team at The Health Lodge. The Health Lodge, 78 Bangalow Road, Byron Bay. 6685 6445 www.thehealthlodge.com.au
RAILS
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Thursday 25 May
EASTWOOD Friday 26 May
BOHEMIAN COWBOYS Saturday 27 May
THE JUKE JOINT WAY Sunday 28 May
BROADFOOT Monday 29 May
MATT ARMITAGE Tuesday 30 May
JAX HAZE
Wednesday 31 May
TULLARA CONNORS DUO North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au
The Byron Shire Echo May 24, 2017 11