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 Available early Tuesday at: http://www.echo.net.au VOLUME 22 #04 TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2007 22,300 copies every week
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Oh say can you see our reluctance to conform…
This year the Graeme Dunstan inspired ‘4th of July, Independence from America’ parade in Byron Bay was also a celebration of the success of last week’s Peace Convergence at Yeppoon. Sunday’s colourful march led by the raucous Samba Blisstas and followed by 150 banner bearing supporters wound its way through town to the market. See story on the Convergence on page 8. Photo Jeff ‘Star Spangled Blather’ Dawson
Bruns walkies raises hackles again Michael McDonald Byron Shire Council was divided last week on how it should respond to lobbying over the dog exercise area – and fines for going beyond it – at Brunswick Heads. After heated debate and a tied 5-5 vote, Mayor Jan Barham used her casting vote in favour of Council rangers assisting in managing companion animals compliance on Marine Park, National Park and Nature Reserve areas adjacent to Council’s companion animal exercise areas. South of the surf club at Brunswick Heads, Council will support
warnings where appropriate, for a first offence of a dog in a prohibited area; prioritise management and placement of advisory signs; and publish a notice in Council’s block advertising and issue a media release identifying Council’s 400m companion animal exercise area, with conditions of use. Council will also develop a memorandum of understanding with agencies controlling land adjacent to companion animal exercise areas including companion animal management. Cr John Lazarus put up the successful proposal, which was
opposed by Crs Tucker, Tardif, Woods and Kestle. Earlier Cr Bob Tardif moved that Council have the general manager and the director of planning approach the appropriate government departments to request a review of the dog exercise area at Brunswick Heads being extended by either providing an extension of the area to the extent of the permitted fishing zone on a timed basis of say 5am to 9am and 5pm to 8pm; or allowing the onlead exercising of dogs within the fishing zone; or a combination of the two.
During public access Mullumbimby resident Maggie Tardif supported the option later moved by her husband Cr Tardif and asked, ‘Why is there not clear and correct signage at Brunswick Heads Beach? ‘What needs to be considered is that a lot of dogs in a confined space will and do create havoc, it’s just natural and the 400m strip to walk a dog up and back only leads to dogs showing a bit of aggression to each other. Dogs are used to routine and once their routine continued on page 2
Celebration for highway completion A ‘community day’ will be staged to celebrate the next major milestone in the multi-million dollar conversion of the Pacific Highway to four lanes when the $256 million Brunswick Heads-Yelgun project opens this month. The Australian Government Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd, and the New South Wales Roads Minister, Eric Roozendaal, have announced that traffic will switch to the 8.7 kilometre new roadway on July 11. Mr Lloyd said: ‘It is great to see the Brunswick Heads -Yelgun deviation all but finished.When it opens next month, almost 40 per cent of the Pacific Highway north of Newcastle to the border will be converted to four lanes. Mr Roozendaal said the continuing Pacific Highway upgrade is one of the biggest projects ever undertaken in this country. ‘A community event will be held on July 8, the Sunday before the official opening. People will be able to walk or cycle along the full length of the project and have an opportunity to voluntarily make a donation for the privilege, with the proceeds going to charity.’ Final details are being arranged through the RTA’s Pacific Highway Project Office and an organising committee representing local community groups. Activities planned for the day include bus tours of the route; food stalls and market stalls; buskers, bands and a jumping castle; displays, and a colouring-in competition for local school children. Mr Lloyd said an auction associated with the opening would raise money for the local surf club and volunteer rescue association. The main item is a cricket bat signed by the NSW cricket team. The old Brunswick River name plates will be handed to the local historical society. Those wanting further information about the community day or wishing to participate can phone toll free 1800 071 144.