A CHIP OFF THE OLD ECHO The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 35 #32 • Wednesday, January 20, 2021 • www.echo.net.au
Choppers descend on Brunswick Heads
DA approval raises concerns over landslips ëŕĎ ǖ şşĎĶŕī Aslan Shand
Mitch Argent braved a crossing of the Queensland border to uphold his title at the 61st outing of the event. Photo Jeff ‘Chopper’ Dawson Eve Jeffery Though scaled back, this year’s COVID safe Woodchop event managed to attract some of the best choppers on the planet, including the world’s number one Standing Block champion, Mitch Argent. Although the Victorian and WA
Climate impacts on youth mental health ▶ p12
axemen and women couldn’t get to the Bruns event, 54 competitors aged from five to 85 did entertain the small crowd of spectators at the new temporary home at Memorial Park – a couple of felled trees’ lengths across the way from the usual Woodchop site. Summer in Bruns was a different
Turning Point Talks brought in the letters ▶ p14
entity this year with ‘Chop’ not in residence at Banner Park. However, the McGregor’s Family Carnival went ahead, as did the Brunswick Surf Life Saving (SLSC) fundraiser in the Housie tent – a reminder that even though COVID-19 is keeping us at a safe distance, many of our volunteer groups still need support.
Health & Healing ▶ p16
You may not find fundraisers in the places you used to, but please don’t forget to give generously to the charities and community associations that you have given to in the past. Organisers from all of the Banner Park summertime activities are hoping for a COVID free summer next year.
Summertime in paradise rolls on ▶ p21
Council’s willingness to defend residents’ amenity and properties has been raised by concerned locals and residents following the outcome of the land and environment court (L&EC) case in Bian Court, Ocean Shores. The proposal by developer Callum Sked to consolidate and develop three large lots, by adding eight townhouses between the three existing dwellings, went to the L&EC for a second time (after an earlier deemed refusal) with a decision made on 15 January 2021 to approve the development. Issues raised as major concerns for local residents included the history of landslips, and that existing flooding of dwellings downhill of the site would be exacerbated, as well as issues around stormwater management as well as changing the low density character of the area. ‘A house was previously lost in a landslip in the same valley and there are two houses that are currently having issues in relation to landslips. The amount of mud and dirt washing down into the street when it rains is concerning,’ said local resident, Paul Wilsher. As previously reported in The Echo when the developer had originally put in the DA he failed to examine a wide range of issues including getting a geotechnical report. Mr Wilsher explained that while the development application ▶ Continued on page 3
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