THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 26 #01 Tuesday, June 14, 2011 Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au www.echo.net.au 23,200 copies every week
C E L E B R AT I N G 2 5 Y E A R S O F B O U R G E O I S A N A R C H Y
CAB AUDIT
Save the Federal church Urgent public meeting at the Federal Hall June 16 from 7pm Organisers are rallying for locals to attend a meeting to discuss ways of retaining the town’s church after the Anglican Parish announced its intention to sell it. ‘Over 100 years ago,’ says organiser Susanna Freymark, ‘local families donated to the community the land the the old Federal Church is on. ‘What’s more, the community then went on to build the church, again with their own resources. Now the Anglican Parish has decided they have the right to sell this land and building to pay debts not related to this community. ‘The church and the hall are part of our history and our village life. ‘The old church is about to be listed
WHAT’S NEW p20–21
Kirsten scoops Lennox comp
as part of a heritage precinct by Byron Council. ‘The loss of the public use of this land and building will have a big impact on our use of the neighboring Federal Hall and of the shared grounds. Many of the community events which happen in the Federal Hall will be severely restricted if the church leaves the community’s ownership. We have three choices – do nothing, convince the Church not to sell, or buy it back. ‘The Church has given the community an opportunity in a short time frame to purchase it before it goes out into the market.’ The meeting will be held at the Federal Hall on Thursday June 16 from 7pm.
‘No community input’ over proposed Ewingsdale hospital of “community consultation” – given none of our inputs was taken into ac- Suffolk Park’s Kirsten Ogden, 16, won the Inner Beauty 16s and the Yoga for Surfers 21s division at this weekend’s All Girls Surf Showdown. One of the organisers, Max Perrot, told The Echo conditions were decent with off-shore oneVice-President of Ewingsdale Pro- count, it was a sham.’ metre waves at Lennox Beachies, which is opposite the Lennox Pub. ‘She took home $500 and a sensational trophy gress Association, Bernard Grinberg, from Ho’okupu Byron Bay, and has potential for a great professional surfing career,’ he said. For more on the comp, has lambasted both Council and the ‘Cannot to be trusted ‘ ‘At the original meeting, NCAHS see sport on page 39. Photo Steve Robertson/Surfing Australia State Health Department for ignoring community wishes over the proposed indicated that they only needed about Ewingsdale hospital. The hospital land one-sixth of the lot to be rezoned for is currently being rezoned by Council the hospital, and they would have no to suit the department’s needs, and is problems in providing for a large buffer located on Ewingsdale Road near the zone so that no access would be posplace the inadequate – and temporary although a couple of weeks ago they Victoria Cosford Country Energy substation. It also sits sible from Parkway Drive. – one on the corner of Lawson and told us it would be June! ‘The actual hospital plans show them adjacent to residential blocks. ‘Things were looking pretty good While acknowledging the need for taking up a bit more land, and stretch- Bob Levett considers it another sad Fletcher Streets. and Council is pretty keen to do it – a modern hospital in the area, he says ing quite close to the residential lots, hiccup. so I do think we’re on the road and it’s The president of the Byron Friends Council ‘keen to do it’ the opportunity is being lost by a piece- thus leaving little room for a buffer. going to happen.’ It was originally promised in 1988 of the Library was referring to the con‘One representative spoke of a helimeal, non-consultative approach by With respect to the recent news that as part of the agreement to transfer tinuing delay in the new library’ s conthe the Northern NSW Local Health copter landing pad; another departstruction because of too many tenders. the Byron Shire Council Chambers to the Library Act 1939 regarding the ment head denied it in writing. District. management of public libraries had Bob had been told by Byron Shire Mullumbimby. ‘It makes sense to have one, but not Furthermore, he claims, ‘This health A development application for its been updated – and taken out of the department cannot to be trusted to next to residential lots. We also met Council that so many competitive tenconsider the local community as they with and wrote many times to Coun- ders had been submitted that an assess- construction was finally approved by hands of Lismore City Council – Bob cil’s Planning Director and his staff, ment by a panel would have to be made. Council in September 2009 and in said he thought it was a good thing. have reneged more than once. ‘Lismore’s been taking control and ‘It’s rather disappointing because December 2010 Member for Ballina ‘The issues stem from dealings with and were assured that community inthe then-named North Coast Area put would prevail. This is an unfortu- we had hoped by late June the ten- Don Page announced a $200,000 under the old law there was nothing to stop them, but we would certainly Helath Service (NCAHS) five years nate example of piecemeal and shoddy ders would be sorted out and rec- grant towards the cost. like to see it go back to a county ‘We just hope the process continommendations made to Council, ’ he ago. We met with NCAHS’s represen- planning, with the community being council model with a regional librarues to make its way, ’ Bob said. ‘Th ere’s told Th e Echo. titives in 2006. We then corresponded treated adversarially by both NCAHS For more than 15 years Byron Bay not a lot we can do. They told us yes- ian, which worked perfectly well in and Council. If they actually worked with them and the head of NCAHS. ‘In 2007 we met again with consult- with the community, the results would Friends of the Library have fought terday that a report of the assessment the past.’ continued on page 2 to realise a brand new building to re- should be made to Council by August, ants. This last meeting was the charade be beneficial to all.’ Hans Lovejoy
Byron library delay continues
What’s happening ÷ World Peace Stupa Project blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama ÷ Free discovery program activities ÷ Free school holiday program ÷ Tarot readings and Aura photos
enrich your spirit
For more information go to www.crystalcastle.com.au
81 Monet Drive Mullumbimby
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20 mins from Byron Bay
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02 6684 3111
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www.crystalcastle.com.au