The Byron Shire Echo – Issue 35.17 – October 7, 2020

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F O U N D D E E P W I T H I N M E S M A’ S M A G N E T I C T R U N K The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 35 #17 • Wednesday, October 7, 2020 • www.echo.net.au

Local MP not included in huge secret road plan

ơſĹ&#x;Ĺ•ČœĆ† Ć?Ɩſŕ Ć?Ĺ&#x; Ç• čIJĆ? ¨Ä•Ĺ?ƆĆ?ſÍČœĆ† ǢE ĹźĹ?ÍŕƆ Hans Lovejoy A proposal to upgrade an existing Telstra tower to 5G in the Byron Arts & Industry Estate has sparked strong resistance from two early childhood learning centres, located within close proximity. Public submissions close October 15 for the proposal, which is located at 8 Acacia Street. Submissions can be made via email: community.consult@downergroup. com or by phone: 0437 600 895. A rally is already planned for October 13 from 11am, with further details to be confimed. Attempts by Telstra to install a 5G tower in Mullumbimby saw an organised and passionate resistance from those unconvinced of the safety claims regarding electro magnetic radiation (EMR), and other 5G factors. Activit Sherrie Yeomans told The Echo the vigil at the Mullum tower has now been going, day and night, for nearly six months.

Proposed within 500m While the Byron Bay proposal is within a 500m radius of two early childhood learning centres, the proponent claims no DA is required from Council. Busy Kids childcare centre manager Krissy Martin told The Echo she and staff have made objections to the tower. She said if approved, it would be just 250m away from the daycare centre. ‘There’s not enough longitudinal studies on the effects on children and adults’, she said, adding that, ‘NSW policy recommends that they be at least 500m away from schools’. She says she was alerted to

The elected Greens MP for the NSW seat of Ballina has again been left out of infrastructure planning for the region, this time by executive Byron Council staff. As per the article on page 6, Cr Basil Cameron claims staff have pursued, without councillor knowledge, a $78m funding application to widen the Ewingsdale Road corridor.

Nats asked for support

Simon McLean from Periwinkle Preschool and Krissy Martin from Byron Busy Kids childcare. Photo Jeff Dawson the proposal by an email from construction company, the Downer Group, on September 28. But the director of Periwinkle Preschool, which is also located within 500m of the proposal, told The Echo the school did not receive any notification from Telstra or its consultants, Downer Group. Director Simon McLean said, ‘Several years ago, the preschool made a conscious decision to only use a hardwired ethernet connection, and does not use Wi-Fi at all. This is in order to reduce the potential for harm caused by electromagnetic radiation to anyone attending the preschool’.

Property rights expert speaks about development and compliance ▜ p4

Mr McLean added, ‘I have sent in a submission to Council, Matthew Wood and Downer Group objecting on behalf of the preschool, and have notified all of our parents and staff about the proposal, so that any concerned parents can send objections’. ‘Several have already replied to me, and are keen to voice concerns. We are a community non-profit preschool run by a parent management committee, and our current president is also fully behind the preschool taking a stand against this proposed upgrade’. Local parent Emma Baker said, in her submission against the tower upgrade, ‘Your constant disregard

Train, train! Choo choo debate â–ś p14

Sewage and the Belongil Estuary ▜ p16

^ŽůÄ‚ĆŒ WĹ˝Ç ÄžĆŒÄžÄš Ä‚ĆŒ

for policies that are put in place to protect children is shameful’. Ms Baker has called for an extension of public submissions until November 30. The Echo is yet to hear back from the Downer Group as to whether the extension has been granted.

Short consultation time She says in her objection, ‘I find it unacceptable that you have opened up the above ‘upgrade’ and ‘community consultation’ period right within the two weeks of NSW school holidays. The NSW public â–ś Continued on page 3

Back to school they go! ▜ p18

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dÄžĆ?Ćš ĆŒĹ?ǀĞ dŽĚĂLJ

According to Cr Cameron, Nationals MLC Ben Franklin was asked by staff to provide a letter of support for an Infrastructure Australia (IA) funding application for Ewingsdale Road, yet Ms Smith was not. Cr Cameron says the secret staff decision is based on poor data and it would shift traffic congestion further towards Byron Bay. He also says it’s not in the community’s interest, or consistent with Council policy. It comes after a recent announcement by local Nationals MLC Ben Franklin, and Mayor Simon Richardson, about a funding upgrade at Grays Lane and Broken Head Road that was made without Greens MP Tamara Smith being invited. Ms Smith says she was active in supporting that project, yet was not offered an invitation for the announcement, or acknowledged for her input at the time. Mr Franklin lost against Ms Smith in the 2019 State election, yet is active in announcing funding for the electorate. Ms Smith confirmed that she was not told of the funding ▜ Continued on page 2

Bluesfest plans its return ▜ p24 dŚĞ ÄžĆ?Ćš dÄžÄ?ĹšŜŽůŽĹ?LJ Ĺ?Ĺś ^ŽůÄ‚ĆŒ WĹ˝Ç ÄžĆŒÍ• KĨĨ 'ĆŒĹ?Ě͕ ZÄžĆ?Ĺ?ĚĞŜƚĹ?Ăů Θ ĆľĆ?Ĺ?ŜĞĆ?Ć?

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