THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 26 #33 Tuesday, January 31, 2012 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
CAB AUDIT
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YA B B E R YA B B E R A N D H U M B U G
Dog weather week
Wilsons Creek road slip could cut off valley Heavy rain has washed away a section of road near the Wilsons Creek primary school, and the real concern is that the remainder of the road may also go. Council traffic controllers are on site 24 hours a day, and Council’s executive manager of community infrastructure Phil Holloway said repair work as already underway. ‘The repair works will take at least two weeks and is dependent on the weather,’ he told The Echo. ‘At this stage the region has not been declared a natural disaster and therefore all costs will be worn by Council.’ The road is open to one lane and light traffic only. Mr Holloway said the repair works and estimated costs will be reported to Council as soon as possible. The school bus will be picking up on eastern side of the road near the Wilsons Creek Public School. Traffic controllers will assist with school children and walk them from one side to the other when needed.
Main Arm damage Evan Malcolm took this photo last Wednesday in Mullum as flood waters were still rising. Below, a boat succeeds where a 4WD didn’t on the old coast road at Wooyung.
come from other regions to assist and should the weather turn again we are in a better position to respond as required,’ he said.
Calls for help The State Emergency Service says it received more than 500 calls for assistance on the north coast since flooding started earlier in the week, mostly in the Tweed. The SES has conducted at least 42 flood rescues in the region. Most involved people trapped in their cars by floodwater, including one at Lismore and one at Mullumbimby. People seeking emergency assistance during a flood or storm should still call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500.
Short-term fishing closures for Richmond For the latest information on major roads visit the live traffic website at http://livetraffic.rta.nsw.gov.au. For local road flood information go to http://www.myroadinfo.com.au. NSW Department of Primary In-
dustries (NSW DPI) has declared short-term fishing closures for ocean waters off seven north coast rivers to protect fish and small prawns displaced by flooding. ‘The closures, which were introduced last Friday, prohibit prawn trawling in ocean waters off the mouths of the Richmond, Evans, Clarence, Bellinger, Nambucca, Macleay and Hastings Rivers,’ said NSW DPI director Commercial Fisheries Andrew Goulstone. The closures will run for two weeks until February 11 – except for the Bellinger where there is a three week closure until 18 February. Detailed information on the fishing closures is available at www.dpi.nsw. gov.au or by calling (02) 9527 8502.
Govt slammed Shadow special minister of state Steve Whan has called the O’Farrell government’s lack of response to the flooding a ‘baffling display of sloppiness’. He says the initial damage bill totals is at least $7 million and will climb further as water recedes from roads and bridges.
There has also been damage to Main Arm Road and causeways. Council crews are currently out undertaking repair work where possible and cleaning up debris. Mr Holloway urged all motorists to drive to the road conditions and take notice of all signs. Any road damage should be reported to Council on 6626 9300. As people begin to mop up in the aftermath of the worst floods the region has seen for several years, the prospect is that more rain may be on the way. David Chambers, incident controller at Richmond-Tweed SES, told The Echo that all evacuation orders have been removed and people are safe to return to their properties, provided safe access is available. ‘The SES has people who have The landslip at Wilsons Creek. Photo Jeff Dawson
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