Letters ȨǩǧŔ ſƖŕƆ ' I’m drawing people’s attention to a massive $20 million development application (DA) for Brunswick Heads, which was snuck onto public exhibition during the holidays. The DA (No: 10.2020.24.1) proposes about 150 residential lots in Bayside Brunswick, including ‘lifestyle’ blocks within a valuable koala corridor. Submissions close on February 26. The concept plan was approved, with reservations, by the NSW government in 2013. The then Department of Planning (DoP) described the proposed subdivision as being ‘located near an environmentally sensitive area’. It also said ‘The environmental significance of the site is high... the concept plan may have impacts on the koala corridor’. The site has also been identified as habitat for the endangered Wallum Froglet and the glossy black cockatoo. In addition, a bushfire report said the site was ‘likely to be affected by bushfires’. Despite this, and despite submissions from Friends of the Koala and others, the department gave the goahead to the concept plan. They placed conditions on the subdivision, such as a Wallum Froglet rehabilitation area in a central drain, and a domestic pet ban.
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That approval in 2013 was bad enough, but surely it is now redundant given the dramatic climate shifts of the past few years, with apocalyptic bushfires and extinction threats for a range of wildlife, including koalas? Other concerns about this DA include the hundreds of extra vehicles trying to negotiate the T-intersection on the old highway, the medium density housing and small lot sizes, lack of parks, and the clearing of vast numbers of trees. See for yourself on the Council website or at the Council offices. The clincher is that the Council, which raised its own objections in 2013, will be sidelined. Guess who the determining authority is?
Yep, the good old developor-bust Northern Regional Planning Panel (NRPP). So far, there hasn’t been a peep from any of our councillors, green or beige. Russell Eldridge Brunswick Heads
ƆëĎ żşĕŔ I love this burnt out country… but now it never, never rains I loved her far horizons, I loved her jewelled sea… Her beauty, now is terror BLACKENED… Like the trees… Gerry Cavanagh (Cabba) Mullumbimby
şĈŊĕƐ ưëŕĎëōĶƆŔ The community tennis court and barbecue area next to the Pocket Primary School have been significantly vandalised. This is on land donated by my aunt, in memory of her husband, Harry Wharton, long term resident of the area. The facilities were constructed by the local community including a beautiful mosaic tiled depiction of Mount Chincogan, Aboriginal
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life, and farming. Handmade tiles of each child in the class of 1988 have been smashed beyond repair, as well as other desecration. I had hoped that my grandchildren could have attended the opening of the 100 year time capsule contained in this structure, now an unlikely event. Somebody must know who did this wonton act. I would like to know. Obviously these ratbags have no understanding of, or care for, local beauty or history. Show respect. Care for country. Bo Wharton Fannie Bay, NT
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lƖōōƖŔ ǖ şşĎ ſĶƆŊ Thanks Echo (January 29) for alerting us to the North Byron Flood Risk Management Plan (Draft Plan) now on exhibition for public comment. The documents that make up the study and draft plan number over 700 pages. So even if you are, ‘in the know’, and find them on Council’s website, you may not ▶ Continued on next page
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Swamp Cats Friday 7 february
Soul’D Saturday 8 february
Juke Joint Way Sunday 9 february
Jock Barnes Trio Monday 10 february
Stephen Lovelight Tuesday 11 february
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norpa.org.au | 1300 066 772 www.echo.net.au/byron-echo Byron Shire Echo archives
Craig Atkins Wednesday 12 february
Jason Delphin DĕćſƖëſƷ Ǭǽ ǩǧǩǧ The Byron Shire Echo 13