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 #37 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2008 22,700 copies every week Printed on 100% recycled paper
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not Council wins hearts and minds at auction (and a chunk of land) Reprieve result on Splendour DA
Indeed we can’t know what effect the protesters’ mass presence had on the eagerness of the other interested parties bidding on site and via mobile phone. Settlement is set for August 2008, a considerable time period during which Council will be considering all options for the site. Mayor Barham said, ‘Council will now consider the future use of the site, with a range of options under consideration. The community has suggested a farmers market and Council is looking for a site for affordable housing. ‘The land is zoned residential but previously had a semi-industrial use. The location, size and history of the site make it suitable for a wide range of uses.’
Jann Gilbert Splendour in the Grass organisers announced last week that they would be lodging an amended devlopment application (DA) to hold a trial event in 2009 rather than pursue proposals for an event at the North Byron Shire Parklands site this year. The organisers cited ‘logistical considerations’ as the reason for submitting the amended DA, which will take several months to complete before it goes to Council. The primary issue in contention with the 2008 trial event DA is said to be plans for a tunnel running under Jones Road to allow festival goers access to both sides of the site. Byron Shire Council Director of Planning Ray Darney said last week he considered the tunnel an expensive piece of infrastructure for a trial event that may never get ongoing approval. There were also a number of other government referral processes for the DA that would not meet reporting deadlines to allow for approval of a trial event this year. The announcement offers a reprieve rather than a result for the 25 or so lobby groups who oppose the development at Yelgun by North Byron Shire Parklands. However it was still cause for quiet celebrations for the Chair of the Byron Ratepayers Association, John Bailey. ‘It’s great news,’ said Mr Bailey. ‘It’s not the war but it’s certainly one of the battles.’ Opposition to the development is gaining momentum with a petition signed by over 70 businesses asking Council to reject the Splendour DA presented to Byron Shire Mayor Jan Barham last week, and other opposition groups committed to continuing the fight. Splendour in the Grass organisers are expected to submit a DA to hold the 2008 festival at Belongil Fields, its location for the past seven years.
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Auctioneer Colin Banks holds aloft Council general manager Pamela Westing’s hand after the succesful bid on the Mullumbimby site.
Story & photo Lou Beaumont Byron Shire Council drew cheers from the crowd when it bought the former Telstra depot site in Mullumbimby at an emotionally charged auction last Friday. It was a rapid response to an appeal issued by the Mullumbimby community. The site, next to the proposed Woolworths shopping centre location on Station Street, was bought by Council for $461,000 – the winning bid placed by the surprisingly calm Council general manager Pamela Westing. Ms Westing said of the auction, ‘I never thought I’d have so much fun at work!’ The Mullumbimby Community Action Group (MCAG) and other concerned Mullumbimby residents with placards were present at the auction and were making
themselves seen and heard, so the outcome was a welcome surprise. Mullumbimby residents, and specifically members of the MCAG, asked Council to purchase the land for the community just over a week prior to the auction. Council resolved to bid for the property the day prior to auction. Shortly after the auction Byron Shire Mayor Jan Barham told The Echo, ‘It just goes to show that local government is able to be responsive to the needs of the community. ‘We considered an urgency motion at our meeting on February 14 and we acted. We didn’t want to think in future about an opportunity missed.We are thrilled we could secure an important community asset that has such great potential.
‘Lots of opportunity comes with this land purchase, it has a number of potential uses. Council is not a major landholder, so any acquisition of this kind will be put to good use. There is a need for good land whether it is used for community infrastructure of some kind or affordable housing or whatever. It is a safe investment.’ Deborah Lilly, coordinator for the MCAG, said that she was ‘absolutely delighted. This really demonstrates the power of community. ‘I would like to encourage everyone to speak up for what they want – look what happens when we use our voices. The action group is a fantastic team and we have just witnessed a truly positive outcome for our community.’
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