CO N T E ST I N G R E A L I T Y ’ S A R B I T R A R Y E X I ST E N C E S I N C E 1 9 8 6 The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 34 #50 • Wednesday, May 20, 2020 • www.echo.net.au
Bus interchange work stopped over potential Indigenous midden Archaeologists will be assessing the discovery of a potential Indigenous midden in the path of a new transport hub for Byron Bay. A stop work order was placed on the site last Tuesday by Transport for NSW contractor Hazell Bros. A Transport for NSW spokesperson told The Echo, ‘While excavating for the public car park contractors noticed some shells under the removed asphalt. All work in the area was stopped. The area was fenced off and the Sydney Trains unexpected finds protocol was followed’. A spokesperson from Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation (Arakwal), who are the Native Title holders for the area, told The Echo that the right procedure has been followed and the site was reported to the Arakwal Corporation and the Environment Line for the action of the compliance team, who will assess the area. Affected Butler Street residents are opposed to the transport hub’s location, which was decided without public consultation by the NSW government.
Joel’s tumour Ǖ īIJƐȞſĕƐƖſŕƆ
A Mullumbimby couple’s life came crashing down last week when Brooke Bretherton came home to find her seven-month-old daughter, Peachy, distraught in her high chair, and her husband Joel unresponsive after having had a seizure. The seizure was a sure sign Joel’s brain tumour was back, after it was first diagnosed in 2006. The couple say the last few days have been a whirlwind of doctor appointments, tests, and plans for treatment. ‘We are absolutely scared, shocked and doing everything we can to gain strength and positivity for our little girl Peachy,’ says Brooke. To help Joel and his family, visit www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-joel-needs-your-help. Full story on www.echo.net.au. Photo Jeff Dawson
Cautious optimism for retail, hospitality Mandy Nolan It was a slow trade, but last Saturday saw customers return to cafes and restaurants and their favourite retail outlets. The introduction of stage one of easing of COVID-19 restrictions across NSW now allows public gatherings of up to ten people, with food and drink premises opening up and more people allowed in a retail setting.
Homelessness in virus times: govt response ▶ p6
This saw patrons returning to cafes across the Shire. The Footbridge Cafe in Brunswick was busy with takeaway patronage, along with ten people seated in their alfresco street dining. Cafe manager Kaelan was optimistic about the changes, and as a business that has traded through the lockdown, taking the social distancing and sanitising rules seriously was not to just protect the public, but
Byron Shire Council Notices ▶ p10
his staff and business as well. ‘There are a lot of recommendations around sanitising. It’s not actually put into law; it’s put in by businesses. A lot is to protect our staff, because if one of us gets it, we have to shut the whole place down. We want to keep everyone happy and healthy!’ Dining in his establishment was Pam, a local nurse. While Pam was loving being out and having coffee with friends, she had some
Sharing the love... Helping Hands ▶ p17
reservations about the community’s ability to adhere to social distancing. ‘I am very concerned that it’s going to come back,’ she said. ‘It’s beautiful being out again, and I love being with people, but I am concerned about people not social distancing. As long as people do the right thing, we will be okay. ‘But they’re not. I am watching them.’ ▶ Continued on page 4
Health and Healing are still waiting for you ▶ p18
Vale Jane Shand – one of the originals ▶ p20
We have moved to a brand new, innovative office space. “With the recent expansion of our team, we have outgrown the smaller office and needed more room. We took the opportunity to secure the old newsagency site, located right across from our previous office in Ocean Village Shopping Centre”. Says Julie-Ann Manahan. See full article on page 25 of the Property Insider.
(02) 6680 5000 rh.com.au/oceanshores