Letters
Byron Bay is continually referred to as an ‘iconic’ place. Perhaps the current custodians of Byron Bay should note the principles by which other iconic locations conduct business. These include: 1. Maintaining the ‘essence’ of the area. Don’t change those things that make the place iconic., eg moving the longtime established Butler Street, Byron Bay, markets. This ‘green space’ is one of the few remaining inner urban parklands. Surely no ‘green mayor’ would contemplate any change other than enhancing the green nature of the area. 2. Protect the intrinsic nature of the iconic location by preventing overdevelopment, despite pressure from big business, developers etc. 3. Apply a congestion tax to vehicles other than those of residents. This would require the council to build large carparks out of town and provide transport to people wanting to enter the town centre. This would solve the problem of buses, Winnebagos, caravans and large trucks trying to navigate the roundabouts and the massive traffic congestion that currently face visitors trying to enjoy their stay in Byron.
4. It would move the bus station to a location away from the town centre (not one street away) but completely out of town like so many other progressive ‘iconic’ places in the world. It’s hard to fathom why our council would need a taxpayer-funded overseas jaunt to discover these facts: facts that everyone else in Byron Bay is aware of. C Henniker Byron Bay
Who’s in charge? How sad it is that, once again, Byron residents have to rally to protect the basic town amenities. During the recent masterplan process and consultation, Byron residents (ie ratepayers) delivered a clear and overwhelming message to Council: 1. leave the pool where it is and fund it properly; 2. Hands off the Rec Ground and fund it properly. The message could not have been clearer from residents. The message back from Council, especially the mayor, was that these two amenities would be kept, improved, and funded properly. Despite this, it seems that Council executive have taken the opposite proposal to Council in a scurrilous
WHAT’ S ON - THE VISITO R GUIDE 2017
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backdoor move. They want to move the pool and change the usage at the Rec Ground. Who’s in charge here? Councillors, stand your ground, please. David Moss Byron Bay
Koala spotting In 2003 a powered glider crashed several hundred metres east of the Tyagarah airstrip. Luckily the pilot survived despite multiple fractures and head wounds. A photo of the fuselage of the aircraft appeared in the Byron Shire News on April 23, 2003. A koala can be seen sitting in a tree adjacent to the crash. Strong evidence, one would think, that the trees in the area are ‘heavily infested with parasites’. No doubt Council will be able to find a tame consultant who, for a fee, will write a report justifying tree removal. Richard Staples Talofa
Support e-zones How grateful do you feel to live in Byron’s beautiful natural environment? As I highlighted last week it is so important for residents who appreciate our biodiverse Shire to make a submission on the current review of environmental zones. Please take the time to do this, speak up for nature. I also encourage all businesses who benefit from Byron to support the council to take a strong position on protecting our precious environment. Support your council so
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Letters to the Editor
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tion is that development is good, it brings prosperity. Council’s role is to oversee that development so we can expect councils in general to be systemically pro-development and people skilled at managing councils to be development oriented. They always have been, they probably always will. It’s not a bad thing, whether or not it’s appropriate, and
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Department of Industry Application for Appointment of Trust Board Members
Big boss Council general managers are a relatively recent and far more mobile replacement of town clerks. They’re a body of professionals highly trained in the management of councils and, indeed, the councillors who generally have considerably less experience and training in how to run a council than they. They manipulate councils and councillors to their heart’s content with varying levels of subtlety as we’ve experienced over the years. They also tend to be pro-development, and why shouldn’t they be? The mainstream percep-
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who decides is more to the point. Ken will take lessons in subtlety to his next post or into retirement and our next incumbent will learn from it too. Apart from that nothing will change. We will have yet another general manager skilled at generic development with no inkling of what makes this place attractive continued on page 17
Mullumbimby Showground Trust Ever wondered who is responsible for keeping Crown reserves operating? Countless facilities like showgrounds, local halls and parks are run by Trust Boards, made up of people just like you. People who understand the need and have a desire to manage public land and assets for the benefit of the entire community. Your role as a Trustee is voluntary, but the rewards of giving something back to the community are priceless. We are looking for a good mix of people with a variety of skills, however, sound business and financial management skills and objective decisionmaking expertise would be a distinct advantage. Don’t let this opportunity to do something for yourself and your community pass you by – contact us today. The Mullumbimby Showground Trust manages the Reserve No. 540009 at Mullumbimby notified on 29 November 1929 for Showground. The term of appointment will be for a period not exceeding 5 years. The term of appointment will expire on 4 December 2019. Application forms may be obtained from www.crownland.nsw.gov.au/trusts/join_a_trust or telephoning 1300 886 235. All applications are required to be lodged before Wednesday 3 January 2018 by email at cl.reserves@crownland.nsw.gov.au or posted to Department of Industry - Lands and Forestry PO Box 2215, DANGAR NSW 2309. File Reference: 11/08663.
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Iconic Bay
they can stand up to the state government who seem hell bent on allowing the destruction of this important ecological area. It’s weird how so many MPs like to holiday here but criticise locals for being antieconomy and anti-development, not understanding that being pro-environment has been the essential component of defining Byron’s point of difference and attraction. The council website has fact sheets on the e-zones and you can also check out the submission guide on Byron Residents Group facebook. If you don’t do this then decades of struggle to protect and enhance our amazing environment will be diminished and once the planning rules change then it’s game over for nature. Other local councils have caved in to state pressure; don’t let Byron give in. Byron deserves better and it’s up to all of us. No time to waste, just do it! Submissions are due on 8 December. Jan Barham Broken Head
For more information: Contact Joe Endean on (02) 6642 9204
RAILS
THE RAILWAY FRIENDLY BAR, BYRON BAY 6685 7662 • therailsbyronbay.com
AND THE FAMOUS
RAILS kitchen
Thursday 7 December
JAY HOAD Friday 8 December
BLUES ARCADIA Saturday 9 December
MANOA Sunday 10 December
CHEYNNE MURPHY BAND Monday 11 December
HAYLEY GRACE Tuesday 12 December
PAT TIERNEY Wednesday 13 December
LENNOX LUST
The Byron Shire Echo December 6, 2017 15