THE BYRON SHIRE
ENROLMENTS
2012
Volume 26 #20 Tuesday, October 25, 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
p.16–17
NEW WORLD ODOUR
CAB AUDIT
An historic ten-year partnership Furore erupts over the Brunswick foreshore Ray Moynihan
The NSW state government has demanded compulsory acquisition of prime parcels of council land around Brunswick Heads waterways, sparking renewed claims that up-market tourist developments could soon replace camping and caravan parks. Council this week considered an urgent request by the government to take over road reserves in Brunswick Heads close to caravan parks and other public land. During public access at council’s meeting, local resident Sean O’Meara warned parts of the foreshore could ultimately be fenced off for private tourist resorts, and riverside walkways could be ‘stolen’ from local families. Mr O’Meara described the urgent request for compulsory acquisition as a ‘cowardly move to push this through before the community and council has time to act’ and he called for ‘full investigation into the validity of the plans.’ Councillors later voted unaniIndigenous dancer Uncle Pete from the Kimberlies was part of the dance troupe performing at the birthday mously to write to the minister and celebrations at The Pass on the weekend. local member Don Page expressing about the history of local Indigenous Ms Stewart went on to say that the concern about the threatened ‘loss of Story & photo Eve Jeffery people, past and present, who worked last ten years had seen three Indig- public access and public amenity’, and Arakwal elder Aunty Dulcie Nicholls on making the agreements a reality. enous land use agreements under the ‘Wow, it has been ten years and Native Title Act had been achieved and celebrated her 82nd birthday with a cake as the Bundjalung people of we’re still here,’ said Ms Stewart. two Memorandums of Understanding Byron Bay celebrated the tenth an- ‘What a monster we created. With (MOU) with the government. ‘Two hundred and sixty hectares niversary of the first Indigenous Land all the agreements and management Use Agreement with the NSW gov- arrangements in place in this beauti- of country has been protected in and Simeon Michaels ful country, we know now that it is around Byron Bay as national parks ernment. and reserve. The chair of the Arakwal Nation- protected forever. Questions have been raised as to ‘Preserved forever for our people to ‘I think we have done pretty well to the motives behind Dan Murphy’s al Park Management Committee, wrap our town up in a national park.’ request to transfer its liquor licence Yvonne Stewart, spoke to the crowd walk in and learn from.’ As part of the celebrations Aunty from Sydney to Byron Bay. Dulcie unveiled a plaque commemoWoolworths Ltd, owners of Dan With Schoolies less than four weeks space for at least 50 of the volunteers. rating the historical markers of the Murphy’s, have submitted their appli‘Registrations will be taken for vol- Arakwal people from a time 1500 cation for an alcohol superstore underaway, volunteers are being sought to assist in making sure that youngsters unteers right up until we start on No- years ago and a midden at The Pass, to neath the Dendy cinema in the town’s will be safe while staying in Byron. vember 18,’ says Nicqui, ‘however, the the naming of Cape Byron by Captain CBD. However, instead of applying for Those wanting to assist can also free training offer needs to have reg- Cook in 1770, through to more the a new licence from the NSW Office of gain valuable skills in first-aid, which istrations in by October 28.’ The HUB recent history of native title applica- Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR), is being offered free by the The Byron will be open 24/7 from November 18 tions and the passing of local elders. the retail giant is seeking to transfer an Schoolies HUB. Coordinator Nicqui until December 5. For more ring Nicqui A tree was then planted in the garden existing licence from Kensington, part Yazdi says a government grant and a lo- on 0402 013 177 or email byronschoo- to celebrate the day and Aunty Dulice of the Randwick Local Government blew out her birthday cake candles. cal business donation have secured the liessafetyresponse@yahoo.com.au. Area (LGA) in Sydney.
called on council staff to seek a legal opinion on the validity of the acquisition documents. At same time Mayor Jan Barham asked a question in state’s upper house seeking an explanation as to why compulsory public acquisition was being used for the ‘commercial purpose of holiday park expansion.’ Responding to questions from The Echo, Don Page said acquisition was simply to ‘formalise’ long-standing use of the land as holiday parks, which have over the years encroached on road reserves. He said council had previously pulled out of negotiations to sell the land, and until the acquisition proceeded, the trust which ran the parks would be ‘unable to plan for future infrastructure including footpaths, that will benefit the whole community as well as park residents and holiday makers.’ Asked whether it was possible to guarantee that all current public access to foreshore and reserves would continue after any coming re-development, Don Page said, ‘Yes, other than the fencing of the Terrace Reserve Caravan Park on the roadway, continued on page 2
Dan Murphy’s applies for liquor licence, meanwhile 2000 object to the new store
Free first-aid training for Schoolies: last call
‘Byron has one quarter the population of Kensington, yet according OLGR’s own statistics, it has double the liquor licences, three times the alcohol-related assaults, and ten times the DUI incidents per head of population,’ says Darren Pearson from The Cellar, a local alcohol retailer. A petition opposing the store has gathered 2000 signatures, says Mr Pearson. Also critical of the proposal is Nicqui Yazdi, team leader at the Byron Underage Drinking & Drug Initiative, who objects most strongly to its location. ‘It’s adjacent to the cinema continued on page 3
T U O S S I M T ’ N DOthe stamp duty exemption on existing homes disappears on 1 Jan 2012
Terms and conditions, fees and charges apply. See us for details.
Ă&#x20AC;UVW KRPH EX\HUV DVN XV DERXW RXU VSHFLDO RIIHU call or visit us <echowebsection=Local News>
banking on people. 1300 802 222 Â&#x2021; summerland.com.au