104th
THE BYRON SHIRE
MULLUMBIMBY SHOW
Volume 26 #22 Tuesday, November 8, 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 23,138 copies every week
AUTHORISED TO QUESTION AUTHORITY SINCE 1986
CAB AUDIT
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Clean the dunny! Bubbles of fun at November fair Mayor pressures staff over maintenance Hans Lovejoy
Why are our public toilets filthy and unsightly graffiti everywhere? According to Mayor Jan Barham it’s because staff have not followed councillors’ resolutions, some of which go back to 2008. Furthermore she claims that a rate-rise specifically aimed at maintenance is available for such projects.
Ignored requests The mayor’s exasperation became apparent at last week’s Council meeting as she went up against the general manager and fellow councillors, claiming years of ignored requests. ‘Every year I have sent emails to staff asking for action and have had little to no response,’ she said. ‘I recognise our reponsibility to tourism and agree with the Byron United’s (Byron’s Chamber of Commerce) consistent claims to clean up the town’s image.’ A motion put forward by the mayor called for the re-establishment of a Byron Bay town centre works team, which would provide ‘ownership over the maintenance of the town.’ ‘There used to be work teams; both a north and south team. Whitsunday Council has one, but we are using contractors,’ she says. ‘The Byron Bay maintenance and risk assessment’ motion was knocked back and instead an amendment was put forward by Crs Staples and Tucker, which passed. It asks that Council receive a report with updates on Byron Bay Landscape and Renovation Plan works implementation since 2009, and identify the balance of expenditure for the plan and an overview of annual maintenance funding for maintenance of Byron Bay, including previous specific rate increases, footpath dining and crown reserve commercial funds. A report is also requested on a risk assessment analysis and disability access of Byron Bay town including the Main Beach Reserve area.
Some councillors were clearly uncomfortable with the mayor dominating the chamber during the debate. Cr Basil Cameron at one point said to the mayor, ‘Maybe this suggests you need a different approach – perhaps less talking over others and listening would be more helpful.’ At another point, Cr Ross Tucker barked, ‘Mayor – don’t interupt the speaker!’ Upon speaking against the motion, Cr Tucker said, ‘It won’t be done… and [a report] will achieve nothing.’ Cr Diane Woods also said she was against, and ‘astounded’ with, the mayor’s motion. ‘We have asked for this every year.’ She added that Ocean Shores residents told her they make up 25 per cent of the Shire’s ratepayers and have complained to her about Council being Byron-centric. ‘We need more staff and more money to clean up the filth and graffiti,’ she said. Cr Simon Richardson, however, offered the mayor support. ‘At least the mayor is trying,’ he said. ‘I can’t recall Chasing bubbles: Jaspa Nowad was one of hundreds of kids and parents who took advantage of the near-perfect any other councillors pushing for this. spring twilight at Mullum Public School’s November fair on Friday. Photo Jeff Dawson ‘The motion is to ask for an update after two and half years.’ While admitting that staff could be overworked, he says, ‘Councillors have waited a at the lower end of the market, but bimby, two years after it was slated. Simeon Michaels long-time for the report.’ Council has also approved a devel- Council placed no conditions on sale Staff response If you think securing a place to live in opment under the state government’s price or rental affordability. Stage-one of Agcorp’s project is now In its defence, Council’s executive Byron is difficult, the squeeze is actu- SEPP (Affordable Housing). ‘In August, Council approved a complete, and a demonstration home manager of community infrastruc- ally nationwide. In 2009, the National Housing Sup- mixed development of shops and resi- opened for public inspection recently. ture Phil Holloway told The Echo that since July 2008, over $334,000 had ply Council (NHSC) estimated that dential living in Suffolk Park under Prices start at $420,000. continued on page 3 been spent on improving Byron Bay the national supply gap was 178,400 these provisions,’ said Council’s execudwellings. By 2014, the NHSC says tive manager of planning Ray Darney. town centre. ‘Within this development three of ‘This included an accumulative that gap will have increased to the units where classified as affordable A rally against the planned Brunswick $200,000 from the 2008 special rate 308,000 dwellings. Byron Shire Council recently ap- housing. variation and an additional $150,800 Heads land grab by the state govern‘This means they will be registered ment is being planned for Sunday Nofrom Section 94 developer contribu- proved an assessment of land in Baytions. There is still approximately a shore Drive, with potential to build under the National Rental Affordabil- vember 13 between 10 and 1pm on the $27,000 available from this year’s al- affordable housing under a joint- ity Scheme and rented at 75 per cent of Terrace (the Tweed St end). market value.’ ownership model. location to spend.’ Co-organiser Sean O’Meara says, And a proposal for Butler Street He said a report on the Byron Bay ‘Pass the word and come for a “walk in the Park” to let the bureaucrats in Town Landscaping Plan and Mainte- proposal is the latest in Council’s at- Suffolk Park project Prior to the State SEPP, Council also Sydney know we won’t let our beautinance Plan will be reported to Coun- tempts to address the Shire’s growing approved Agcorp’s 52-unit develop- ful parklands and foreshores be stolen cil in December detailing previous affordable housing crisis. from us so they can develop them and To date, nothing has come of a simi- ment next to the Suffolk Park BP. works completed and possible addiThe development creates supply make a quick buck.’ lar process at Station Street, Mullumtional works.
Chasing the Byron affordable housing timeline
Rally for public land
THE TIBET EFFECT A FUNDRAISING CONCERT FOR BYRON’S WORLD PEACE STUPA
W
orld renowned Tenzin Choegyal is a traditional Tibetan musician whose extraordinary vocal ability and diverse musical talents have enchanted audiences around the globe. Lhamo Dolma, from Amdo, Tibet, with her hauntingly beautiful voice, can transport the listener to the highest reaches of the Himalayan peaks. A polished performer, she was invited to sing for His Holiness
The Dalai Lama this year at his teachings in Melbourne. Joining Lhamo and Tenzin will be Byron Shire performers Ian Draaisma and Elyjah McLeod; both exceptional heartfelt performers and contemporary throat singers. To take the concert to another level will be performance drawing artist Kellie O’Dempsey and tagtool animator Michael Dick, crafting a spectacle of the NOW via digital projection into the
auditorium. Together they will create vast illuminated works that are the direct response of the collective energy inspired by the performance. The performance is a combined community, Tibetan initiative to help raise funds for the building of the Kalachakra Stupa at the Crystal Castle, Montecollum. Incredible opportunity to see all these artists in one concert at the Byron Community Centre.
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