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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 21 #11 TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2006 22,300 copies every week $1 at newsagents only
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Little joy for mayor in park takeover meeting with Kelly Michael McDonald Byron Shire Mayor Jan Barham and general manager Pamela Westing gained little from their brief meeting last Friday with NSW Lands minister Tony Kelly general manager of Crown Land Division, Graham Harding, to discuss the state’s takeover of crown reserve caravan parks and the Clarkes Beach CafĂŠ. In a press release last Monday Cr Barham described the meeting as ‘an opportunity to present information and
highlight inaccuracies in the report that the Minister has relied on as justification for the takeover of management. The Minister’s action came as a surprise as the general manager and I had met with him in May to discuss concerns about delayed responses from the Department. ‘I had informed the Local Government Association president, Mayor Genia McCaffery, of the government’s actions and she also attended the meeting. There is reason for concern that
this may be a government trend as they admitted they are undertaking similar investigation of other coastal Crown areas. ‘The Minister claims to have taken action on the basis of an audit that the Department of Lands had commissioned last year. This matter was being progressed by Council staff in liaison with the department and had not yet been made known to the Councillors. ‘The Minister referred to complaints in relation to the
Chopper doorknock needs volunteers The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter (WLSRH) needs more volunteers to assist with its annual Doorknock D ay appeal, announced general manager Perry Wells today at the official launch of Helicopter Awareness Week (August 2127). ‘Helicopter Awareness Week is all about raising awareness of the vital role the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter plays in the Northern region, and how people can support the service in any number of different ways,’ said Mr Wells. ‘One of these ways is through volunteering, and this Sunday we need as many people as possible to hit the streets in support of our service. It only takes a couple of hours, and yet it will make such a huge difference. People should call us on 6627 4444 if they want to help.’ The Westpac Life Saver Robin Duff from Westpac and Phil Gibson of Westpac Rescue HeliRescue Helicopter Annual copters are ready to receive donations this Sunday August 27. VolDoorknock Day appeal is the unteers and local coordinators would be greatly appreciated – see continued on page 2
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Robin in Westpac Bridglands branch in Mullum.
caravan parks and the Clarkes Beach kiosk. Unfortunately, those complaints have not been made available to Council and he was informed there has been a high degree of misinformation about these issues. ‘I requested that the complaints are made available so that they can be checked for accuracy. I agreed that there had been some significant complaints with the management of the parks when under independent professional management and advised that this had led to the formation of a Councillor working group to respond to problems associated with onselling of sites, restrictions on bookings and unapproved works. ‘It was vital that the Minister was made aware of significant delays from the Department in response to Council requests for approvals and funding to undertake works programs in the parks and on other Crown Reserve areas, such as Main Beach. Council had also been frustrated by the lack of Ministerial adoption of Plans of Management that Council prepared in 2000. ‘Byron Council contributes greatly to the funding of works programs on the beaches and reserves but cannot proceed with works without state approval. Funding from the state is sought to contribute to the maintenance of these public areas and the provision of surf lifesaving services. These delays have affected the implementation of works programs and ongoing maintenance. ‘The meeting clarified that
see sport page 42
Plant a tree for Dad
Investing in his future, Ewan Kaehler jumps on the Rainforest Rescue bandwagon by getting a Leunig ‘Tree Planter’ card from Lyn Slack at the Byron Bay branch of the Summerland Credit Union. Photo Jeff ‘Tree Mugger’ Dawson
Rainforest Rescue and the Fatherhood Festival are inviting Australians to plant a tree for Dad on Fathers Day this year. Inspired by Michael Leunig’s ‘The Tree Planter’, the aim of the initiative is to contribute to the regeneration of the Big Scrub. Each tree planted in ‘The Forest of the Fathers’ will be done so in the name of its sponsor, be it an individual or a business. The Fatherhood Festival is encouraging people to consider who their father figures are – maybe your dad, uncle, grandfather, or a close adult male friend fulfils that role, indeed you may be lucky continued on page 2 enough to have more than
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one – and honour them by planting a tree. To get involved, visit www.fatherhoodfestival.com, www.rainforestrescue.org.au or phone 1300 763 611. You can also order a Plant a Tree gift card to commemorate your contribution, and visit your tree in Byron Bay during the Fatherhood Festival. Alternatively, you can buy your Plant a Tree card at your local Southern Cross Credit Union Branch. Visit www. sccu.com.au for branch locations or ring 1300 360 744. The Fatherhood Festival takes place in Bangalow on September 1, 2 and 3. See more on front page of Seven.
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