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THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 30 #50
On pages 18-20
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
www.echo.net.au Phone 02 6684 1777 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au 23,200 copies every week CAB AUDIT
A fond reminisce: in 1992, The Echo reported on discredited dob-in-a-dealer ops – p14
What’s up the Creek?
Garden
S PAW N E D F R O M A N A P K I N D O O D L E I N 1 9 8 5
What’s happening in the Arts & Industry Estate – p16, 17
Food and entertainment starts here – p21
Going with the Bruns tide
Report shows health ratings A 2015 report that measures the health of local rivers and estuaries has revealed the lowest rating possible for mid and lower estuarine reaches of the Wilsons River, which runs through Lismore. It got an ‘F’. But Byron Shire is also on the radar for poor estuary and creek health. Local utility Rous Water told The Echo that the independent Ecohealth Assessment examines ‘key environmental indicators throughout the Richmond River catchment including water quality, riparian (riverbank) vegetation, geomorphic (channel) condition and macroinvertebrates (waterbugs), and reports on their condition.’ Data were applied to regional and national guidelines for healthy rivers and then a scorecard given, a Rous Water spokesperson said. ‘In the Wilsons River catchment, Leycester Creek received an F, Coopers Creek received a D+, Byron Creek received a D- and Wilsons Creek a C-. Riparian conditions decline quickly downstream and this was due firstly to dominance of several noxious invasive weeds or clearing associated with grazing in the riparian zones. ‘Water quality was generally very poor, although water quality was better in upper reaches of most tributaries.’ The full reply from Rous and story is available at echo.net.au.
Online in
netdaily
RDT opponents could ‘change election outcome’ http://bit.ly/1WK4rOr
Ocean Shores water leak: 25 million litres About 25 megalitres, or 25 million litres, of water were wasted after an underground leak in Ocean Shores in April, but Council staff have told The Echo there will be no extra cost. Cr Duncan Dey (Greens) alerted the chamber to the massive leak at last Thursday’s meeting, saying the breakages were difficult to locate, one being under a waterway.
Alerted by Rous Water
The sun smiled down on the one thousand and sixty-five competitors on Sunday, as they took to the waters for the annual Mullum2Bruns paddle. The event is now the largest paddle in Australia, say organisers. Of the paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, dragon boats and surf rescue boats that made up this year’s event, many were very competitive while others were in it just for fun. Following the event, entrants enjoyed family-friendly entertainment and food at the Terrace. Photo Jeff ‘Up The Creeks And Waterways’ Dawson
Council’s manager of utilities, Peter Rees, told The Echo that there will be no additional costs owing to the water charge structure with Council’s water supplier, Rous Water. He said, ‘Rous Water alerted Council to the potential leak.’ ‘It took staff a day to find the underground leak in a remote location within the Ocean Shores Golf Club grounds, and another day to repair. ‘Unfortunately it was not visible and therefore not immediately observed by anyone.’ Mr Rees thanked Rous for their supportive alert.
Coastal policy now over to community Hans Lovejoy & Chris Dobney
Is 21 days enough time for the public to assess and comment on a major piece of coastal policy that took five years to prepare? Byron Shire Council’s controlling majority think so, and voted at last Thursday’s meeting to reject a rescission motion which aims to ask for more data on planned retreat
options and seek ministerial and departmental advice. The incomplete and contentious Coastal Zone Management Plan Byron Bay Embayment (CZMP BBE) is now on public exhibition until Tuesday June 14. The lack of time for public engagement was raised by Cr Paul Spooner at the meeting to audience applause; however, there was
no reply on that issue from the five councillors in favour of the plan. A lengthier public exhibition period is supported by Cr Duncan Dey, who says that CZMP guidelines recommend a longer public exhibition period than the minimum 21 days stipulated under the NSW Coastal Act 1979. If adopted, it has the potential to set a precedent for landowners,
providing legal grounds to protect homes with rock-type structures on known erosion hotspots. The Gold Coast’s experience suggests that expensive sand-nourishment programs would be needed to compensate for beach erosion. But there limited sand-nourishment plans tabled within the CZMP BBE, and it has been criticised as offering continued on page 3
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