Local News
Vale, Gerard Verroen An Empire rises again Terri Wheatley
Gerard Verroen lived a full life. He was born in 1930 in Rotterdam with war literally exploding on his doorstep. As a young boy at age 12 he was sent to survive the war in the countryside with his brother John. This is where he learnt to work farms and had the good fortune to meet a ‘red-headed Jew’, as he called him, who was a teacher hiding from the Nazis. This gentleman spent months educating Gerard while surviving the war – his father was put in a camp. After the war Gerard decided to become a cadet and sail – and sail he did. His illustrious career in sailing culminated in his being a captain in the merchant navy, and his lust for knowledge never left him. He studied philosophy for fun, and always enjoyed a good discussion. After his sailing days he managed a shipping port, where he met Jennifer – the love of his life. In the 1980s they left the USA, settled in Cedar Road, Mullumbimby, and became entrenched in the local life. Gerard is survived by his two children Hans Peter and Tharina. His happiest days were with Jen (‘she who must be obeyed’), doing all the tasks Jen promised others he would do – they were very involved in early Echo days, with wildlife caring and the Mullum Museum; they ran the Mullum Market for a decade and never missed a market! They loved entertaining. Nine years ago Gerard, having nursed Jen back to life after she had experienced a stroke, finally lost the
Photo Tree Faerie
love of his life – it was not Gerard’s plan! After this loss Gerard’s health deteriorated and for nine long years he has rallied for as long as he could – always wanting to be fiercely independent with a bright ‘hello and I’m always fine’ kind of attitude. Gerard was a particularly kind and decent person whom I feel fortunate to have known and call a friend.Vale, Gerard! Q There will be a celebration of Gerard’s life at 21 Cudgerie Court, Mullumbimby, from 5pm on Tuesday 25 April. All who knew Gerard are welcome.
BOTTLESHOP Cricketer’s Arms Pale & Summer 6pk
Tiger
$14
6pk
$15
49
Ctn $
40
Ctn $
Fixation IPA 4pk
Coopers Mild 6pk
Darenberg Stump Jump GSM
$10
Chivas Regal
$10
Ctn $
$17
Mullumbimby’s Empire Cafe reopened its doors last week after a brief hiatus. The Empire is one of the Shire’s longest-running businesses, established as a cafe in 1945. The new owner operators are a local family, with Elke Lowe returning to her home town with her partner Kevin Higgins. Photo Ziggi Browning
Planning minister threatens intervention on West Byron While West Byron developers have submitted a development application (DA) separate from a development control plan (DCP), it’s emerged that NSW planning minister Anthony Roberts (Liberal) has threatened Council to personally intervene unless a DCP is produced to his liking. The West Byron Urban Land Release Area encompasses a 108-hectare site located 2.5 kilometres west of Byron Bay on Ewingsdale Road. From a letter within Council’s upcoming April 20 agenda, Roberts wrote to GM Ken Gainger saying, ‘The proposed [DCP] amendments, if pursued, would likely result in significant land-forming works and clearing to enable drainage, and a loss of dwelling yield across the site.’
In reply, Cr Catherine Coorey told The Echo, ‘Pru Goward rezoned West Byron without ever coming here and now Anthony Roberts MP is forcing us into making a DCP that is totally inadequate.’ Coorey claims the current DCP is ‘inadequate’ and needs amending. ‘The previous council was happy to accept the DCP put forward by the developers. ‘It ignored the major issues with the site: koalas, endangered frog habitat, acid sulfate soils, flooding and traffic. Apparently contributing to the demise of a species isn’t even an issue in this DCP; a road goes straight through endangered frog habitat. ‘The DCP also gives the developers sections of our road reserve to build an
acoustic barrier rather than building it on their own land. ‘This is crazy. How water moves through West Byron is fundamental to the site.
Housing yields v waterways ‘The minister shows more concern with housing yields for the developers than the health of our waterways and the safety of the town. ‘Byron Bay missed the worst of post-cyclone Debbie. We may not be so lucky next time. Water on this site – with all its hard surfaces – is going to have to go somewhere. ‘If proper drainage across the site is not included in the DCP then we may have a battle in getting the developers to put it in.’
$45
36
Matua Sauvignon Blanc $13
Kraken Spiced Rum
$50
Over 350 beers and Ciders in stock Specials from 19/4/17 – 3/5/17
HOTEL GREAT NORTHERN 6685 6454 | the northern.com.au North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au
The Byron Shire Echo April 19, 2017 3