THE BYRON SHIRE ECHO
SUNDAY MAY 11
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 #47 TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2008 22,700 copies every week
Mothers
Day P22-24
C O N TA I N S
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N U T S
One perfect day for the Bay’s big swim
New $7m power substation for Ewingsdale Construction of the new $7 million Ewingsdale zone electricity substation will commence this month, ‘providing enhanced reliability of electricity supply and catering for expected growth in Byron Bay and surrounding areas,’ according to power provider Country Energy. Regional general manager Brian Glawson said, ‘If all goes to schedule, we are looking forward to commissioning the new zone sub either late this year or early in 2009. It replaces ageing infrastructure and will supply electricity to more than 12,000 customers – increasing existing capacity by 50 per cent, enhancing reliability and underpinning security of supply for residents, businesses and local industry for many years to come.’ Construction of the new Ewingsdale zone substation is part of the greater $70 million Lismore to Mullumbimby electricity network upgrade announced last year.
Securing supply
These gents were looking forward to a brisk swim in the 20th Byron Bay Winter Whales Ocean Classic last Sunday, along with around 1500 other swimmers. Gold Coast swimmer Meagen Nay, who will be representing Australia in the 200m backstroke at the Beijing Olympic Games, took out the open women’s division of the 2.2km swim from Watego’s to Main Beach and Trent Grimsey of Brisbane won the open men’s race. Photo Lou Beaumont
Heritage listing a plus for owners: Council According to Byron Shire Council, real estate agents in Byron Shire ‘will soon be appending the words “heritage-listed” to premium properties if the recommendations of the draft Community-Based Heritage Study are adopted’. The study is on exhibition until Friday June 13. In a press release last week Council’s Director of Planning Development and Environment Services, Ray Darney, said that heritage listing will bring certainty for many owners and intending purchasers. ‘Council will need to consider the effect of any proposed
developments on nearby listed heritage items and conservation areas when considering development proposals,’ he said. The study identifies 200 heritage items and eight conservation areas as having potential heritage significance at a local level. These could be included in the new LEP currently being prepared by Council. Heritage listing can bring a range of benefits to owners and the community, according to Council. ‘Heritage listing has served the Shire well in the past in protecting the charm and char-
acter of the township of Bangalow, which has been listed as a conservation area since 1987. Bangalow is one of the district’s tourist drawcards, like Cape Byron Lighthouse, which is a heritage place of world renown.’ A number of other places have been recommended for protection by way of heritage listing, including the central part of Mullumbimby, precincts in Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads and a variety of privately owned houses, shops and buildings. In addition, there are recommendations in the heritage study
to protect the distinctive features of the district’s landscape including some trees, rock walls, dairy industry relics and other items of special significance in the Shire. The heritage listings were identified by community representatives from all around the Shire. They worked closely with Council and its heritage adviser over a two year period. During the public exhibition period a series of public workshops will be held throughout the Shire. For details on these workshops or to view a copy of the Study visit www.byron.nsw.gov.au.
The upgrade, which will cover the local government areas of Lismore City, Ballina Shire and Byron Shire, is planned to take place over the next seven years and ‘will secure the region’s electricity supply for at least the next quarter of a century. ‘We are continuing to consult with landowners along the preferred powerline corridors and thank all those who have provided input and feedback into the planning process,’ Mr Glawson said. ‘On the Far North Coast, particularly the coastal area between Ocean Shores and Ballina, we are experiencing ever-increasing demand on the electricity supply network. ‘According to the NSW Department of Planning’s Far North Coast Regional Strategy document, over the next 25 years the region is expected to grow by more than 60,000 people to 289,000, which is a 26 per cent increase on the current population.