SOMEWHERE BETWEEN GUTENBERG AND ZUCKERBERG The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 39 #06 • July 17, 2024 • www.echo.net.au
The energy of NAIDOC
Malibu Club raises $18k for local charities
Malibu Club captain, Louise Tiernan, John Bancroft from the Westpac Helicopter Service and club president, Jy Pendergast. Photo supplied
Mayor Michael Lyon has criticised the Mullumbimby Residents Association (MRA) and Greens Cr Duncan Dey, claiming they presented a ‘onesided’ view which ‘certainly swayed current public opinion’ around the future of Mullum’s water supply. The Echo sought his comment after public submissions on the matter were published in the Extra Water and Sewer Advisory Committee (WSAC) July 19 meeting agenda. A consultant reports that of
the 433 submissions received, ‘the majority of responses ranked maintaining a separate water supply as extremely important’. Additionally, ‘The majority of responses did not support the recommendation to connect to the regional water supply’. Public comments were in response to plans put forward by Council staff, underpinned by a consultant’s view, which propose to abandon the town’s locally-sourced
supply from Wilsons Creek weir in favour of a connection to bulk water supplier, Rous. Council staff say that the need for the strategy is based on studies that have determined that the treatment plant at the weir ‘requires upgrades’ in the shortterm and, ‘is ageing and requires replacement’. Cr Lyon said, ‘I wonder how many people would value this option if they understood that Mullumbimby residents would be paying an extra
$1,000 per year on their water bills to pay for it, versus the rest of the shire, which would be on the much cheaper Rous water’. Yet Greens councillors, candidates and WSAC members – many with water engineering expertise – say many of their questions remain unanswered and there has been no robust investigation into alternatives for the town to remain self-reliant with its water supply. ▶ See Q&A page 6, editorial page 10
A recent presentation night at the Byron Bowlo was held by the Byron Bay Malibu Club, where an impressive $18,000 was donated to local charities. President Jy Pendergast says, ‘The club was very grateful to be able to donate the money raised from the Malibu Classic to some very deserving local organisations. The Shift Project, The Disabled Surfers Association, Byron YAC, Marine Rescue and Westpac Rescue Helicopter were all represented and expressed their thanks’. ‘The common theme from all the recipients was the importance of community. ‘Anne Goslett from The SHIFT Project spoke very eloquently about how donations, no matter how small, keep these community organisations going and that in the current economic climate they are lifelines for the day-to-day operations. Thanks again to all the sponsors, and of course the surfers who entered, the committee, and the club members. ‘Let’s do it all again next year!’
Practical localisation solutions explored ▶ p5
Mullum’s future water supply Q&A ▶ p6
Richard Jones looks at the looming meta-crisis ▶ p10
Check out what’s on offer in Mullumbimby ▶ p18
Body, mind, soul Health & Healing ▶ p20
Arakwal dancers, Keep The Fire Burning, Blak, and Loud and Proud, gathered at at Byron’s Main Beach for this year’s NAIDOC celebration of culture, dance and music. The event at the beach followed a parade through town last Thursday morning. Photo Jeff Dawson
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