BEING CAUGHT IN THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION SINCE 1986 The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 34 #29 • Tuesday, December 24, 2019 • www.echo.net.au
Mullum now hits level four water restrictions
Hopes for peace in 2020
Level 4 water restrictions are now in place for Mullumbimby after a continued rapid decrease in the water level of Lavertys Gap Weir, say Byron Shire Council.
Level 1 for other towns
The Northern Rivers Coastal Red Rebel activists made an appearance at the Mullum Farmers Market on Friday morning. They use stillness, silence, archetypes of grief and gravitas to galvanise care and empathy for our planet. The brigade was originally created for the Extinction Rebellion in London. Photo Jeff ‘Better Red than Shiraz’ Dawson
A new look at how to manage the precious coastline Paul Bibby What can we do to protect the Shire’s beautiful, but fragile coastal environment from climate change and other human impacts? Having sufficient information about the nature of the problems and adequate policies to address them is a good start, according to a new scoping study by Byron Council.
Vale tennis champ Margaret Fisher ▶ p5
Unfortunately, in many cases, we appear to be lacking in one or both of these. The scoping study is part of Council’s attempt to develop a long-term strategy for the coastline – a Coastal Management Program. It is currently on public exhibition so that the community can provide feedback. The study sets out the many
Practical ways to engage with climate change ▶ p7
challenges the coastal zone is facing and the policies and knowledge we currently have to meet them. It found that there were inadequate management arrangements for some of the biggest threats facing our coastal environment and, in some cases, a lack of data and information about these threats as well. Chief among them was the threat of beach erosion, which was
Byron Shire Council Notices ▶ p8
rated as a high level threat being experienced right now at nine separate hotspots, spread out along the Shire’s coastline from The Pass to South Golden Beach. The consequences of beach erosion include: the loss of habitat, public and private assets, beach amenity, and existing surf breaks. Despite this threat being known ▶ Continued on page 3
Mungo: It was very hot in Walgett one day in 1937 ▶ p10
The remainder of the Byron Shire serviced by Rous County Council remains on level 1 restrictions. Council’s acting general manager, Phil Holloway, said the level of the weir is decreasing at a rapid rate and, ‘people need to really work hard to limit their water use. ‘This is almost unprecedented in Mullumbimby, which normally has a very high rainfall and we would not be moving to level 4 restrictions if it wasn’t absolutely necessary,’ Mr Holloway said. For residents of Mullumbimby who are connected to the town water supply, level 4 restrictions means essential uses only for showers, toilets, taps and washing machines. ‘No watering of gardens or lawns, including new turf. ‘Topping up and refilling of existing swimming pools and spas is permitted if required to reduce structural damage, between 4pm and 9am, using a hand held hose fitted with an on/off nozzle. ‘No emptying and refilling of pools/spas. No water play tools, toys and slides. Washing pets and ▶ Continued on page 5
Sort out your New Year’s Eve plans ▶ centre pages