THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 31 #33 Wednesday, January 25, 2017
www.echo.net.au
Pages
19–21
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T H E O N LY T R U T H I S M U S I C – J A C K K E R O U A C
CAB AUDIT
Mayoral ponderings over holiday letting – p5
What’s the most easterly chamber up to? – p8
Mungo on Terrible Tom and Breaking Baird likeable Simon – p10 – p11
A very important paddle
Brunswick Heads
Affordable housing dispute over? It appears a long-running dispute over a Mullum affordable housing DA will be resolved via a conciliation conference between developer Koho and Council. A Land and Environment commissioner visited the Stuart Street site on January 24, which gave an opportunity for residents to make their case against the development. But at this stage, Koho has told The Echo that they have agreed with Council’s proposed consent condi-
tions. Previously Council staff had recommended a ten-unit design for approval, which was initially approved by Council. However, after a number of rescission motions it was finally refused. At the November 17, 2016 meeting, the mayor used his casting vote – with an absent Cr Cameron – to approve the development and to delegate authority to the general manager to enter into a conciliation agreement.
While it’s unlikely to appease residents calling for its outright rejection, Koho director Adam BennettSmith said, ‘After receiving a concise list of facts and contentions prepared by Council-appointed planning and heritage experts, Koho was able to respond with a revised design consisting of eight units with density reduced to comply with the Byron Shire LEP without relying on a density bonus afforded under the Affordable continued on page 2
WE DO OUR THING WITH SOLAR POWER
www.echo.net.au/like-20kbuild-home-lismore
Australia/Survival day There are many events being held throughout Byron Shire to celebrate Australia Day on January 26, with most towns and villages participating. Byron Shire mayor Simon Richardson has told North Coast ABC he would like to see Australia Day celebrated at dusk on January the 25. ‘It is time for a mature debate about the most appropriate time to mark the occasion,’ he said.
A swim at the Mullum Pool on Saturday raised $1,980 towards a legal fund to defend the ever-increasingly endangered Great Barrier Reef. Swim for the Reef is raising funds for community legal group QLD EDO, who, with enough money, can challenge greedy sociopathic corporations and governments in court. Apart from land-clearing and industrial farming, more (mostly) foreign-owned mines are planned, which further threaten the reef. Co-organiser Josh Scott Jouir said, ‘The combined total of money raised by all of the teams in QLD and ourselves [so far] is $58,764 and they are still swimming!’ Pictured are some of the younger participants: Ember and Freeman Nichols and Jamal Winter. For more info visit www.swimforthereef.org.au. Photo Jeff Dawson
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In Brunswick Heads, a breakfast hosted by the Mullumbimby Rotary Club will be held in the Housie tent, Banner Park, from 7.30am till 10am. A free bus will travel from Mullumbimby Newsagency at 7.30am, courtesy of Blanch’s Coaches, and will return to Mullumbimby at 10am. Breakfast is just $4 and there will be free Australian flags and live music.
Mullumbimby The official ceremony, hosted by the Brunswick Valley Historical Society, will be held from 11am till 1pm at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Bowling Club. There will be a citizenship ceremony and an Australia Day address. Community awards will be given to citizen of the year, young citizen of the year, sportsperson of the year, community event of the year, volunteer of the year and environmental volunteer project of the year. At the Mullum Pool, the Brunswick Valley Historical Society, Mullumbimby Pool and Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce will host celebrations from 3pm till 6pm. There will be a barbecue, inflatables, thong-throwing contest and buskers.
Byron Bay A breakfast next to the Byron Bay Surf Club, Main Beach, will be hosted by the Byron Bay Rotary Club from 7.30am till 11am. There will be light refreshments, free Australian flags and live entertainment. Also in Byron Bay, Survival Day will be held at Main Beach from 11am till 3pm. Acclaimed percussionist Greg Sheehan and his Out of Order group is just one of the acts who will perform. The formal welcome to country by Arakwal Bundjalung spokesperson Delta Kay will be held at 12.30pm. There will also be dance troupes, a barbecue (by donation), a Sisters for Reconciliation info and product stall, cultural and kids’ activities and free Aboriginal and Islander hand-waver flags.
Suffolk Park A fun afternoon is planned by the Byron Rural Fire Brigade from 12pm till 5pm at Gaggin Park on Alcorn Street, Suffolk Park. There will be a free sausage sizzle, celebration cake, drinks, free Australian flags, children’s entertainment and music.
Ocean Shores A barbecue, hosted by the Ocean Shores Community Association, will be held from 3pm till 5pm at the Ocean Shores Public School. Mullet throwers will again compete for the Australia Day world championships, starting at 3pm. Practice time is from 2.30pm. Categories include men, women, under 15s, under 10s, girls and boys and pre-school. Barbecue from 5pm. Information on the events from www.byron.nsw.gov.au.
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