Letters letter apologising for allowing his Funkey Forest campfire to inadvertently become a destructive bushfire. His letter appeared both humble and sincere, and his honesty about this difficult period in his life warrants some positive feedback. I value your public apology in the letter you wrote to The Echo, Luke. The other bravo is to Mandy, for her piece on the difficulties of living in a tourist town. She certainly spoke for me. Unfortunately, I suspect that those who probably need to read such a piece would not have done so. Phoebe Havyatt Byron Bay
BEC rotunda to go?
It would be a very sad day for our community if Council were to have its way by removing the Byron Environment Centre (BEC) rotunda (info kiosk) from its current location adjacent to Jonson Street in Railway Park, Byron Bay. Council would like the rotunda removed by December 13. Counci'sl reasons include improving community and visitor use of the park and increasing visibility, and that community feedback via the Byron Bay Town Centre masterplan leadership team states ‘that the BEC kiosk in
Railway Park would best be located elsewhere.’ There is no evidence for this contention and the BEC argues that there would be strong support in the community to keep the rotunda in its current location as part of the masterplan. The rotunda has been staffed by volunteers since 2002. The BEC has also encouraged other community groups to use the rotunda as a base for various drives and services such as Street Cruise, offering a safe space for schoolies and other young visitors in the summer months, for the Cancer Foun-
dation, Beggars Banquet, Sea Shepherd and the Artisan Market as well as auspicing various rallies and protests in the park. With its peace flags flying and colourful Arakwal murals decorating the external walls (the only example of Indigenous public art in Byron Bay) the rotunda has become a Byron icon. Nino MacDonald The Pocket
Respect
I’d like to say how brave some of the writers were in the October 4 edition of The Echo. Firstly, Luke Hamilton for his
Parties unite
‘Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time understand more, so that we may fear less.’ – Marie Curie
It’s refreshing to see crossparty opposition to the food hub near Bangalow. It should now be clear to the Joint Regional Planning Panel that they should reject the proposal as it stands. With a unanimous vote in Council, across Labor, The Greens, Nationals and Independents and the strong concerns raised by the Bangalow community the message is clear. It is a shame, however, that Mr Franklin's response seems to be to make these iconic Byron businesses up stumps and leave the Shire. These local businesses, such as Brookfarm, provide continued on next page
Letters to the Editor
Specialising in Family Law
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The Byron Shire Echo October 25, 2017 13