THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 23 #16 Tuesday, September 23, 2008
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Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au www.echo.net.au 22,700 copies every week
PA R T I C I P L E A C C E L E R AT O R
Civic hall reopened
Byron councillors elected Michael McDonald
The NSW Electoral Commission started and completed the Byron Shire councillor vote count on the weekend and the results are in. Along with Mayor Jan Barham the Greens picked up three other candidates – Simon Richardson, Tom Tabart and Richard Staples. Group F led by Ross Tucker was successful in getting Tony Heeson and Diane Woods up as well, and the other two places went to Patrick Morrisey of Our Sustainable Future and Basil Cameron of Group C. Richardson was the first to get elected on preferences, followed by Tucker, Tabart, Heeson, Staples, Morrisey, Woods and Cameron. The Greens group received 5,764 votes or 37.6% of the total primary vote, followed by Group F with 4,812 (31.3%). MP Justine Elliot, Neta McKinnon and Mayor Jan Barham enjoy the ribbon cutting. Story & photo Eve Jeffery
Almost eighty years ago, 11 year old Neta McKinnon watched as her father, the mayor at the time, cut the ribbon opening the front doors of the new Mullumbimby School of Arts Memorial Hall. Last Friday, almost 80 years later, much to her surprise and delight, the current mayor Jan Barham asked Neta to do the honours and cut the ribbon to open the doors on the refurbished Mullumbimby Civic Hall.
Significance In the room that was for so many years the home to hundreds of books, MP Justine Elliot and MLC Amanda Fazio were guest speakers at the official opening ceremony, held in the old library. Both spoke about the importance of community halls and of the significance of memorial structures in the form of buildings, parks and pools. Former Byron Shire Councillor Peter Westheimer was the last to address the gathering. As a long time campaigner and general nagger in favour of upgrading the community space, Peter became quite emotional
as he spoke of the hall’s regenesis in what he says is stage one of a two part process, the second being the renovation of the Neighbourhood Centre. Justine Elliot and Jan Barham unveiled a wall plaque commemorating the day, before Neta put scissors to ribbon and led the way into the main hall. Invited dignitaries and guests were the first to see the results of five years planning, design and rebuilding as the Byron Shire Council hosted a morning tea after the official ceremony, while still photos from yesteryear were screened on the stage.
Meanwhile, homeless While those invited to the Civic Hall opening soaked up the atmosphere and mini quiches, there was a small group who enjoyed a cuppa and a bikky next door at the Neighbourhood Centre. In the leadup to the grand event it had been suggested that the centre close its doors for the day to allow guests of the official event exclusive access to the community precinct, but Julie Williams from the Neighbourhood Centre felt it im-
‘For all residents’
portant to for the opening to be an inclusive event. ‘The committee has embraced the notion of refurbishing the Civic Hall and all power to them,’ said Julie last Friday, ‘but the community needs to see that the we here at the Neighbourhood Centre are important as well.’ Julie said she felt that opening the centre to patrons during the official ceremony and allowing the homeless access to the venue’s facilities would be less disruptive to the event than keeping the doors closed.
Important services ‘We are bigger than a drop-in centre,’ she said. ‘We are also run the Brighter Future Psychology Services program here, we have women’s services, we are a domestic violence outreach, we have volunteer counsellors and provide emergency relief.’ Ms Williams said that during the renovations, Council staff had bent over backwards to be helpful and supportive of the centre and she was very appreciative of the time and effort they put into consideration for the community resource and she was continued on page 2
Byron Ballina Greens convenor John Bailey said the result ‘brings with it both opportunities and responsibilities. With four Greens councillors elected, joined by two others standing on platforms of sustainability, it seems that the intention of the voters was that most citizens want development to be appropriate to the special nature of our community and be in accord with environmental values. However the Greens also accept that it must govern for all the residents of the shire, in all locations, and not just those who voted for us. ‘The challenge for the council is to remain financially responsible, while implementing progressive policies, and foster appropriate development which ensure that the town, villages and rural areas of the shire retain their special features which make this such a great place to live.’ Ross Tucker told The Echo, ‘It is pleasing to get three of our team elected. It would have been great to see Ken Barnham make it. I think Group F’s achieving 31.36% of the primary vote in the councillor election is a good result. ‘The polls have been a great suc-
cess for Jan and the Greens and congratulations to them. ‘My first observation of the election in general is that a vast number of people came to the polls knowing exactly how they were going to vote. They needed no assistance – how-tovote tickets or explanations of policy – on the day. ‘I do think there is merit in clarifying some of the financial elements that were raised in the campaign. Not for any political advantage now that the poll is over, but more to clarify the situation with the state of public monies which generally is of interest to the public, seeing that it is their money. ‘I predict the road – or is that railway track? – ahead will be busy. The new shirewide LEP is a priority and requires considerable input and direction from councillors. Coastline management and tourism management will need attention early in this term of Council. ‘I see the political make-up as being 6-3 which should permit, with contra views being at least expressed, the Greens to progress their agenda which is what the majority of last weekend’s vote indicated it wanted.’
A different council The new council is different in many ways. Only five of the previous ten-member council have been reelected. With only nine councillors this time the mayor’s casting vote to break deadlock will not come into play very often. While the Greens have a strong voting bloc, the success of their resolutions will depend largely on the views of Morrisey and Cameron; some votes could go 6-3 in the Greens’ favour, others possibly 5-4 against. While Tucker and Woods are likely to vote together, Heeson’s likely voting pattern is unknown. For those who have not seen our online report, Mayor Jan Barham was reelected with 7,973 votes on the final count to Ross Tucker’s 4,841. ■ Full results are available online by
local government area at http://vtr. elections.nsw.gov.au