THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 31 #12 Wednesday, August 31, 2016
www.echo.net.au Phone 02 6684 1777 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au 23,200 copies every week
A N Y T H I N G B U T P E T T Y C R I M E , W E AT H E R A N D C E L E B R I T Y G O S S I P
CAB AUDIT
Online in netdaily Nattali Rize An inside peek at the DV housing options Steiner interview those suffering on limited in the area – Shearwater Election coverage – p40 Manus Island – p9 Ms Nolan reports – p10 open day – p26 www.echo.net.au/councilelections-2016
Affordable housing knocked back – again
Happy hundred, Drill Hall!
After a huge day of centenary celebrations on Sunday, Mullumbimby resident Minnie and Drill Hall Theatre Company patron Tony Barry headed an aisle of smiles in the new hall seats, a birthday present for the venue and the community. Another reason to celebrate was the installation of Community Owned Renewable Energy Mullumbimby (COREM)’s first solar PV system. The 12kW solar array was funded by community donations from COREM’s events and crowdfunding initiatives. Photo Tree Faerie
Rail trail plans now underway Tweed Shire Council’s proposed rail trail from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek may also connect to Billinudgel, after Byron Shire councillors last week voted to progress discussions with that council. The motion put forward by Cr Hunter will also see Council give ‘support for Tweed Shire Council to attract funding’ for approximately 24km of track. The distance from Billinudgel to Crabbes Creek would be an extension of 4.9km.
Additionally, councillors have asked staff to ‘explore its social, environmental and economic impacts on the north of the Shire.’ As with previous votes on establishing rail trails, it was not a unanimous vote – Crs Dey, Richardson and Cameron voted against the motion while Crs Spooner, Hunter, Ibrahim, Wanchap, and Woods voted for (Cr Cubis was absent). During debate, retiring Cr Sol Ibrahim argued that the ‘discussion
has been had’ and it wasn’t a ‘land grab’ and such a project would ensure the land wouldn’t be sold off. He said, ‘It’s what the Billinnudgel community want.’ Cr Basil Cameron wasn’t convinced, and rejected the assertion that reports supporting the plans were of a high quality and acceptable. Cr Richardson considered the decision as controversial, and as such said it should be discussed with the community first.
Take Back Your Power! Battery Cost
Motoma Gel-Acid with Megapulse
$3,800
LG Chem RESU Li-ion
$7,500
Tesla Power Wall Li-ion
$8,000
Usable kWh
6.72 kWh
Retiring Cr Duncan Dey (Greens), took aim at the deal, which was brokered behind closed doors – and saw the units reduced from ten to eight. Cr Dey reminded the chamber of the history of the last vote, where at the last meeting, councillors voted to seek a better outcome in the
Solar batteries not only have to look pretty, they have to save you money.
Life-cycle Cost per kWh
$0.15
Behind closed doors
morning but by the afternoon they voted to allow it owing in part to Cr Spooner’s dealmaking. ‘Negotiations should be done publicly,’ Cr Dey said, ‘Out in the open and in a formalised process, not informal discussions with the proponent.’ He said, ‘This motion creates that process. Neighbours bought their property with the expectations of single houses on blocks…’ Cr Dey also mentioned the high level of objection, and said while he wasn’t against the idea, planning should be done strategically. But mayoral candidate Cr Spooner (Labor) again hammered the narrative that rejecting affordable housing does not address affordable housing. ‘We will possibly lose the opportunity,’ he warned. ‘This [motion] is meant to frustrate what has already been approved… there is no respect shown by doing this. It smacks of desperation and we are proceeding on shaky legal grounds… we could end up in court.’ Cr Spooner also accused those in favour of more negotiations as playing reactionary politics. ‘A house in Mullum just sold for $900,000. ‘How is that affordable? This is dividing the community.’ Another mayoral candidate, Rose Wanchap, wasn’t supportive of allowing it as it was presented and said it wouldn’t address ‘all those paying high rents’. ‘If you want affordable housing, you would have supported West continued on page 3
The Truth About The REAL Cost of Solar Batteries
Solar Battery Value Comparison Chart Battery Brand
In their last official meeting under ‘caretaker mode’ before elections, councillors have again refused a contentious affordable-housing development in Mullum’s CBD. It ends many attempts to find a solution suitable to both residents and the developer. Reasons for refusal include that it is incompatible with a swag of planning policies and legislation – they include proposed character, environmental impacts, excessive bulk and being ‘incompatible in scale with development in the locality.’ It was also considered to be contrary to the public interest under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Remarkably all were in favour except Crs Paul Spooner and Sol Ibrahim. Affordable-housing company Koho riled residents a few months back after announcing plans to plonk 10 units on a house block in Stuart Street, which critics said would set a precedent. Such development can occur under the affordable-housing section of the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), which is a state government directive.
888 Solar Tek provide Motoma Gel-Acid batteries with Megapulse - a battery immune system that extends battery life for years longer. We supply customised new or retrofit hybrid and off grid solar systems to match your power use - not a one size fits all packages. You get personalised service with free 12 month system monitoring. Call us for free, honest advice before you buy anywhere else.
a
<Grid Price
NSW Solar bonus scheme ends this year!
5.12 kWh
$0.43
X 5.44 kWh
$0.50
X
figures for Lithium Ion batteries provided in an independent review by Solar Quotes
888
Affordable Hybrid and Off Grid Solar Battery Storage & Solar Hot Water Call for a Free Consultation
Ph 02 6688 4480 www.888solartek.com.au