THE BYRON SHIRE ECHO Advertising & news enquiries: Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au http://www.echo.net.au VOLUME 20 #48 TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2006 22,300 copies every week $1 at newsagents only
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Storm surcharge seeks to lower flooding levels Lesley Patterson Easter Saturday’s deluge in Byron Bay was the third time in a year that the town has experienced an intense drenching. Around 220 mm fell on Byron Bay in a fairly short period on Saturday April 16 once again submerging parts of Byron, Lawson, Fletcher and Middleton Streets as the stormwater system failed to cope. Eight years ago in 1988, Byron Shire Council completed a plan for upgrading the stormwater system in Byron Bay. It came with a $2 million price tag for the necessary works and due to lack of funds none of those works have been completed. Luck-
ily over most of that eight years, Byron Bay has been spared from many intense rainfall events. Council’s general manager Pamela Westing says that forecasters are predicting more severe storms so from now on the problems will only get worse. Last week Councillors voted to introduce a $25 a year stormwater levy for every household in urban catchments in the Shire. Predicted to raise around $250,000 each year the levy will inject much needed funds for the upgrade of the ailing and ancient stormwater system. ‘In the past we put in pipes and connected to the existing
Pots of help from art guru
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A frock fit to Charleston in
drainage system. This was often done in an ad hoc way and has been made worse by more intensive development on some lots than before,’ explained Ms Westing. Currently rainwater drains out of Byron Bay town centre either via a stormwater outlet at Clarkes Beach, known locally as The Drain, or through an open drain by the market site in Butler Street which flows into the Belongil. The volume of water coming out of The Drain on Easter Saturday night was evident by the height of the eroded sand on either side. ‘Byron Bay town centre is very low and very flat and it all drains to two main points. If intense rainfall coincides with high tides then there could be an issue because the rain won’t be able to get away,’ said Council engineer Michael King. Luckily on Easter Saturday the tide was
Aileen Cole models a 1924 flapper dress, one of the original items from the 1920s and 30s included in The Bangalow Historical Society and the Cavalcade of History and Fashion’s fashion exhibition on April 29. Titled ‘Between the Wars’ it features clothing and accessories worn from 1919 to 1939. The extensive collection will be presented by curator Madaleine Sweeney, above left, whose informative commentary made last year’s parade such a popular event. Between the Wars will be held at the RSL Hall Bangalow from 1.30pm to 2.30pm followed by afternoon tea. Tickets are available at Barebones continued on page 2 Art Space, Bangalow or by phoning Dawn on 6687 2442. Photo Jeff ‘Flipper’ Dawson
Search launched for new Byron hospital site
World art guru, Dr Gene Sherman, (above left) advises ceramacist Avital Sheffer on how to reach fulfilment in the art world. Dr Sherman visited Byron Bay last week to talk to local artists about selling their work. Jeff ‘Potted Shrimp’ Dawson
NSW Health Minister John Hatzistergos has given the official go-ahead for the call for expressions of interest to acquire land for the new Byron Shire Central Hospital. North Coast Area Health Service is now advertising for expressions of interest from landowners willing to sell sites larger than six hectares. ‘The new hospital will complement the planned expansion of services at Ballina Hospital, which includes community health, to meet the needs of the North Coast’s growing population,’ he said. In mid-late 2003, a 25-
member joint consultative committee representative of the Byron Shire and Ballina communities held several meetings to consider the planning of coastal hospitals and health services. Broad agreement was reached on the configuring of services at the two hospitals, and since then North Coast Area Health Service and the Department of Health have been working on further developing the best models for the facilities. Byron Shire Mayor Jan Barham welcomed the announcement but stressed that surgery services must be
included in the new hospital. ‘Late last year, as part of ongoing discussions, I spoke to both the Premier and the Minister for Health about the new hospital for Byron Shire and again reiterated the need for surgery services to be included in the hospital project,’ said Cr Jan Barham. ‘They both confirmed that the hospital was proceeding and that it was on track. I am very pleased that the Government has now committed to the project and guaranteed that surgery services will be available. There has been many years of hard work
done by community representatives on consultation committees and they deserve our thanks. ‘It is now vital that the new services be delivered as soon as possible. With the shire’s population increasing and the importance of tourism to the area, it is essential that there are adequate care services available. The excellent focus on birthing is a welcome recognition of the outstanding work that has been done in the area, particularly at Mullumbimby hospital,’ said Cr Jan Barham. Member for Ballina Don continued on page 2
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