Letters flooding and beach loss, a downturn in business opportunities, a breakdown of basic infrastructure, loss of biodiversity, flora and fauna and a polarised, disgruntled community, the sooner we see the back of this rampaging ‘bloc of five’ the better. We definitely need visionaries in place, or at least people who can think beyond the term of their elected office and the interests of their backers, and for the greater good. Report card on current council – definitely an epic fail! Jan Hackett Sunrise Beach
in a project. Any locals who want to support COREM in getting Mullum off fossil fuel dependence with its inherent climate risk can donate now at www.planetfunder.org/ projects/Corem (tax deductible) and/or come to the campaign launch to run Mullum by the sun. Deborah Lilly Committee member, COREM
Roundhouse blues When longstanding former mayor Jan Barham and her general managers were in control, Council was always prepared to go to court to defend community rights. At the beginning of this current term the mayor and general manager decided, owing to a dire financial situation, that councillors continued on next page
Solar vision Such a disgrace What an absolute disgrace wanting to put a seniors development near a hospital. Imagine how this will destroy the gateway to the Bay, what with its concrete plant, electricity substation and corrugated iron fence already beautifying the entrance. Imagine having to look at landscaped housing and a small shopping complex – or is it all those old people we can’t look at? Maybe we could give everyone rose-coloured glasses as they drive in. I’m pretty sure this development is not in anyone’s garden or space, so don’t worry – it won’t interfere with the studios that are springing up in backyards under the pretence of affordable housing. The so-called outside developers have had interests in Byron Bay longer than most so-called locals have been
here, so, no, they are not blow-ins. I think the NIMBYs need to look past their own agenda and see what could actually be good for the whole shire with jobs and facilities. Or we can just say when you get to retirement age, ‘Fuck off ’; we don’t want or need you any more. Phil & Marie Boyd Suffolk Park
Epic fail Thank you, Cr Duncan Dey, for your letter re the CBA fiasco in Council regarding costs of future coastal (mis) management, aka the Belongil saga (Echo, February 10). What we’ve had in Byron Shire for far too long now is a short-sighted majority on Council who have failed to listen to the needs and concerns of our community, or
consider expert advice, while pandering to a small handful of business operators, developers and dune-dwellers. I noted the other evening that Auburn Council had been sacked, primarily because of the property developers and real estate agents in their midst. Corruption! Likewise on Byron Shire Council, we have one real estate agent together with four business and pro-development councillors who have hijacked community interests in favour of short-term, inappropriate and damaging development, together with these so-called ‘protection works’ at Belongil. Deadly! Our shire is being destroyed – our towns, our lands and our unique culture. With the prospect of increased building heights, poorly designed land development, consequent flash
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C OR E M ( C om mu n it y Owned Renewable Energy Mullumbimby) is launching a crowdfunding campaign to complete fundraising for their first project, powering the Drill Hall with solar energy. Eight thousand dollars has already been raised for the PV panels and we need a further $9,000. COREM’s vision is to have all of Mullumbimby powered by renewable energy. Income generated from the Drill Hall’s energy savings will go towards the second project, and so on. The campaign launch will be at the Drill Hall on Friday February 26, starting 6.30pm for dinner. Mayor Simon Richardson will MC and there will be a live update from the Leard Forest followed by a screening of Black Hole, a documentary about what’s dirty about coalmining at Maules Creek, inspiring us to make a conscious choice about where our power comes from. Crowdfunding is a way of sourcing money to invest
THE
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AND THE FAMOUS
RAILS kitchen
Thursday 18 February
MESCALITO BLUES Friday 19 February
BOHEMIAN COWBOYS Saturday 20 February
TBA
Sunday 21 February
CHRIS COOK BAND Monday 22 February
MARK RIDOUT
Tuesday 23 February
FERGO
Wednesday 24 February
JON J BRADLEY
The Byron Shire Echo February 17, 2016 9