THE BYRON SHIRE
LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE
Volume 23 #44 Tuesday, April 14, 2009 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 21,000 copies every week
SEASON PREVIEW – page 27
ONE SMALL LEAP FOR WHIMSY
Tree removals prompt local concerns Hans Lovejoy
Concerned residents mobilised last Wednesday to highlight concern over the removal of a Melaleuca tree on the roundabout on Fletcher Street next to the Byron Bay library. Coordinator of the action Cheze Malaika told The Echo that the developers of the new construction behind the Great Northern Hotel, Chase Property, have the legal right to remove five trees on the street. Her concern was that there would be more trees removed. The claims are refuted by Bart Elias from Chase Property and Mayor Jan Barham. Cr Barham said, ‘The original DA for the development – before Chase Property were involved – asked for permission for the removal of five trees on the street. ‘After it was rejected by Council, the then developer Tom Mooney went to the The Land and Environment
court and had it approved. To Chase Property’s credit, since they have been involved they have gone out of their way to work with Council to keep the existing trees. They approached us and wanted to work with us to maintain the aesthetic of the street.’ Concerns this could prompt the RTA to use the DA to widen the road and remove the trees are also unfounded, according to Cr Barham. ‘The DA is specific to this development and any roadworks and tree removal would have to be a new submission to Council.’ Mr Elias reiterated Cr Barham’s comments that there will be no more trees removed from Fletcher Street. ‘It was our initiative along with Council to preserve these trees despite the approvals.’ When asked who gave the go ahead for the first tree to be removed, Mr Elias responded, ‘The only tree that
was removed was done so based on the requirement of the RTA to have four lane access to the roundabout. It is our understanding that the RTA was adamant that four lanes exist at the roundabout despite objections from Council.’ In related news, a mature Eucalyptus and Paperbark tree were cut down at Byron Bay primary school last Friday. According to Ms Malaika, the Department of Education contracted a private company for the job. ‘Parents were advised there would be extensions to the classrooms, but were not alerted to the tree removal.’ A Fig tree and Poinciana are also earmarked for removal at the school on Tuesday, weather permitting. Ms Malaika has appealed to the community to be on alert for any more tree removals around Byron Bay. An SMS can be sent to her on 0411 843 384.
Blues fully sick
Nimbin’s Polite Force case the joint in Byron Bay
Nimbin’s Polite Force showed off its new inflatable Big Joint at Byron Bay last Friday, while issuing Mellowness Cautions as a prelude to the Mardi Grass on May 1-2. Inhale more at www.nimbinmardigrass.com/2009 and see Comment, page 10. Photo Jeff ‘Mmmm:… Inflatable’ Dawson.
Neither mud nor rain nor sniffer dogs could stop enthusiasts from wading into the Bluesfest to see the likes of Seasick Steve, pictured above. Now in his sixties, Seasick Steve won this year’s Mojo Best Breakthrough Act award. According to his agents Bronzerat.com, ‘Steve Wold left home at 14 to a lengthy freight-train-hopping and migrant-working hobo lifestyle, before eventually “settling” in Tennessee (via San Francisco, UK, Hawaii, Tennessee, Washington State and god knows where else – he married his Norwegian wife 25 years ago and they’ve lived in 56 different houses). ‘He became Seasick Steve fairly recently, so nicknamed after an ill-advised ferry journey… He released the first album by Seasick Steve & The Level Devils in 2004, and just as things started rolling along quite nicely he suffered a massive heart attack and lost his studio. No biggie, makes for a good song or two.… We all love a good story and a good song, and Seasick Steve is king of the yarn, duke of the hot blues lick.’ Photo Jeff ‘Blind Avocado’ Dawson. See more Bluesfest 09 photos in the Events section of our gallery at www.echo.net.au.
enrich your spirit
www.crystalcastle.com.au Open 7 Days 10am-5pm (NSW time) 81 Monet Drive, Mullumbimby 40 mins from Tweed Heads 20 mins from Byron Bay (02) 6684 3111