Volume 33 #21 Wednesday, October 31, 2018
P25-32
Pictured: Mullumbimby Community Gardens
IKEA HAS BETTER CABINETS THAN THE MORRISON GOVERNMENT
Ghoulies take over Bruns
Contentious Bruns park to be protected under NSW Labor Hans Lovejoy While NSW Labor have pledged to ban camping on the Southern Terrace Reserve and return the Brunswick Heads reserve as a community space, local Nationals MLC and 2019 candidate Ben Franklin instead has backed his government’s controversial stance to allow commercial activity and current management to continue. The reserve contains vulnerable and degraded Coastal Cypress trees, which residents say have been neglected in favour of camping by Reflections Holiday Parks, a government-owned corporation.
Key election issue
Voluntary breath testing at festivals about to fold Hans Lovejoy & Paul Bibby An organisation that provides voluntary breath testing and drug and alcohol information for music festival patrons says that without political and financial support, it will ‘cease operation in the next month.’ Despite STEER Project being supported by local Nationals MLC and 2019 election candidate, Ben Franklin, he is yet to confirm if his government will step up to assist
Byron Shire Council Notices ▶ p6
with the vital program. Franklin told The Echo he was ‘very impressed’ with the program and will be raising the organisers’ concerns ‘with relevant ministers and offices within the government.’ Meanwhile local Greens MP Tamara Smith told The Echo she has been ‘making representations to the minister on behalf of STEER Project since 2015.’ She says it’s time for a sensible critique of the Liberal-National’s failed war on
drugs, ‘and that practical initiatives like this were embraced.’ STEER Project is led by local firefighter Phil Preston and since 2010 the program has gained groundswell support from festivals, Byron Council, local police and youth organisations.
Draconian response The threat of closure for the program comes as the government released a draconian response to
Court dismisses Tweed water extraction appeal ▶ p11
illicit drug use at festivals last week, which was roundly criticised for ignoring health- and educationfocused solutions. NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on October 23 that she would adopt the recommendations of an expert panel, set up in response to the suspected drugrelated deaths of two people at Sydney’s Defcon Festival last month. New penalties include a ▶ Continued on page 2
Melbourne Cup festivities around the shire ▶ p16
Heaps of happy ideas for your home and garden ▶ p18
Music in the Main Arm Valley ▶ p40
At Juno our job is to deliver more power to you, we understand it's not an easy experience making the decision to go solar, so we spend more time with you to learn your needs and design a system that works for. This might mean a system that is ready for batteries, a system that will help you to power though blackouts, or a system with room to grow later. All systems start with the Neon 2 or premium Neon R modules tested by Choice magazine as Australia’s best performing module. LG modules have a full 25 year performance and manufacturer's warranty unlike the partial warranties available on most panels offered locally. We add SolarEdge power optimisation to each panel so you know how it is performing and so you know it is performing as well as it possibly can. Juno Energy can also assist with specifying and installation of batteries for your home or business. We can also assist with a range of finance options if you would like to enjoy solar now, and pay as you save. If you want the best for your roof give us a call Patrick 0425 256 802 | Marcelo 0401 224 007
Habitat, Office 8, 20/1 Porter St, Byron Bay junoenergy.com.au
Electrical licence 255292C
Brunswick Heads Public School celebrated its fifth annual ‘Fairtastic’ night of Halloween fun last Saturday afternoon and evening. Principal Trisha Parker said the Halloween Fair had become a hit over the years, ‘because parents love the opportunity to have some Halloween fun in a safe, family-friendly environment’. The only thing missing from previous years was plastic. ‘One of our kindy classes had the idea of trying to make our fair as plastic-free as possible,’ said Mrs Parker. Pictured are the un-dead Sarah and Mel. For more ghoulish photos visit wwww.echo.net.au. Photo Jeff ‘Scaretastic’ Dawson
Shadow minister for Lands Mick Veitch visited the Brunswick Heads Terrace Holiday Park on Monday and said the future of the reserve will be a key issue in the upcoming March state election. ‘[It’s] a clear choice between a Foley Labor government, which would save public space and the endangered pines, and a Liberal-National coalition government, which would continue to favour development over the environment.’ But Nationals MLC Ben Franklin told The Echo that the manager, Reflections Holiday Parks, ‘is committed to ensuring environmental protections are at the forefront of its operations.’ ‘Reflections has committed to significantly reduce the number of camping sites from 54 down to 30 and will introduce revegetation and ▶ Continued on page 2