THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 32 #11
100% LOCAL
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
100% INDEPENDENT
www.echo.net.au Phone 02 6684 1777 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au 23,200 copies every week
M E D D L I N G I N P U B L I C A F FA I R S S I N C E 1 9 8 6
Rescued from Circus freaks Home & child slavery: wrapped in burqas Garden Ramesh’s tale – p8 and section 44 – p12 – p18
All about the good life – p27
What’s the best gig in town? – p36
Food hub meeting hears of flawed DA Hans Lovejoy
It was standing room only in the Mullumbimby Council Chambers last Thursday as Bangalow residents and proponents made submissions about a large-scale food hub proposal on Lismore Road, Bangalow. Located opposite the Industrial Estate, the contentious development application (DA) by Allan Abraham’s Chase Lismore Road Pty Ltd has faced strong opposition from Bangalow residents and a unanimous council. Greens state MP Tamara Smith has described the proposal as ‘the right businesses on the wrong site.’ Local businesses Brookfarm and Salumi, who are pushing for the development on behalf of landowner Mr Abraham, have both refused to comment or take questions from The Echo. Both businesses told the meeting they are in dire need of a larger factory and cannot keep up with demand. The Northern Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) held the meeting, and chair Garry West told the chamber before submissions that their decision on the DA was based on the ‘public interest’. Owing to the estimated $36.9m cost, the JRPP – not Council – are the consent authority. The meeting was not to determine the development, said the former NSW Nationals MP, adding that more meetings were planned. Those who spoke in favour were either the direct beneficiaries of the development or from the NSW
2 BIG EVENTS
THIS WEEKEND!
Chamber of Commerce or Regional Development Australia, Northern Rivers. Seven spoke in favour, while 20 spoke against. A recurring theme throughout the two-hour hearing was that the development application, which was prepared by Bangalow town planner Paul De Fina, was completely flawed and inadequate. Speakers including an ecologist, another town planner and a wastewater specialist raised major issues across the spectrum, and claimed the DA was non-compliant with legislation and came without enough information or clarity. It was also pointed out such a development was not considered within any strategic planning process and is unsuited to the town’s character.
Council failed to act Pam Brook from Brookfarm spoke first in favour; she claimed from the outset that she and her family, friends, staff and fellow food producers felt intimidated by those opposed. ‘This is not Adani or Metgasco,’ she said, adding that after Brookfarm had tried to secure a place to expand for around four years – and despite Council being aware of their challenges, ‘they had failed to act.’ Mrs Brook also spoke of the success story of their business. ‘This proposal came about with [proponent] Chase because we want room to move and are here continued on page 2
The inaugural Festival of the Seven Seas was held at the Byron Bay Brewery last Sunday. It was a fundraiser for local conservation groups Plastic Free Byron and Positive Change for Marine Life, who aim to raise awareness of the crisis faced by the world’s oceans. It kicked off with a beach clean-up from 8am, then a free barbecue at the Brewery followed by live music from 12pm through till 10pm. There was also a designated kids’ entertainment and amusement area with rides, face painting, colouring competition, educational talks and demonstrations. Pictured are artists Victoria and Mick ‘Shmick’ Moterhaum-Smith, who created art boards to auction. Photo Jeff Dawson
Staff interfere with Byron markets Council staff, headed by general manager Ken Gainger, have taken it upon themselves to prepare a development application (DA) to use Cavanbah Centre on Ewinsgsdale Road as primitive camping and a market site. It comes without informing councillors or the agreement of stallholders who operate on Butler Street. Consultant Mike Svikis, a former Byron Shire Council planner, was paid an undisclosed sum by staff to prepare the 31-page DA, which is on exhibition until August 23. While the DA attempts to play down any possible competition
with the existing markets, Cr Paul Spooner has told The Echo he has concerns it could impact on current stallholders. Cr Spooner is manager of the Byron Bay Community Centre, which manages the markets. He said, ‘The main problem is that this appears small gain for income; the argument in the DA is about a need for income to cover the large cost of the facility. This small gain may result in a big hit for stallholders and could send some to the wall. This idea is not coming from demand, it’s from wanting more income.’ As for moving the existing Butler
Street markets to the sportsfield, Cr Spooner says he ‘hasn’t heard one stallholder in favour.’ ‘Location is very important. Generally markets are held in towns and are within walking distance. It’s more difficult to get to the Cavanbah Centre and it could create more traffic. It’s worked well on Butler Street for nearly three decades.’ The Echo understands the genernal manager has long campaigned to move the existing markets from Butler Street to the Cavanbah Centre on Ewingsdale Road. The Echo asked mayor Simon continued on page 3
“The biggest fight the world will ever see”
SATURDAY AUG 26
from Mick’s original Cantina will be served at the Club as a prelude to a special show featuring Mojo serving up a return to 60s and 70s rock and roll
www.echo.net.au/grants-northernrivers-opening-soon
Ocean aware
VOICE OF BYRON LOCALS NIGHT Genuine Mexican Mick’s dishes
netdaily Grants for the northern rivers opening soon
Online in
MOJO
BYRON BAY SERVICES CLUB
MAYWEATHER Vs McGREGOR
STH END OF JONSON ST, BYRON BAY 6685 6878 WWW.BYRONBAYSERVICESCLUB.COM.AU INFO@BYRONBAYSERVICESCLUB.COM.AU
SUNDAY AUG 27
from 11am
Courtesy Bus Available 6685 5008 Friday & Sunday
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RVICES CLUB B Y R O N B AY S E