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Volume 28 #12 Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Page 20
S O M E P E O P L E A R E S O P O O R A L L T H E Y H AV E I S M O N E Y
Gig Guide – p29
Senate ballot paper explained at last – p14–15
Punters pick election runners – p18–19
Walking a doggy mile
Pumpkin, Grace, Nina and Oliver are ready to ‘Walk a Mile in my Shoes’, a fundraising event in Brunswick Heads that aims to raise funds for the Westmead Children’s Hospital Research unit. The idea came from local business operator Bob Keers from the Whatever shop in Park Street, Brunswick Heads, and it quickly gained support. Mullumbimby Rotary will put on a barbecue after the walk, and the Girl Guides, BARCO and the Bruns Bowlo are all involved. Get a group together and participate! Gather after 10am for a 10.30am start at the Brunswick Heads Bowling Club barbecue area on Sunday September 8. For more information, email chamber@brunswickheads.org.au. Photo Jeff Dawson
Bluesfest 2014 first act announcement ‘It’s our twenty-fifth birthday!’ Bluesfest director Peter Noble enthused at the announcement of a milestone in Australian and world festival history. ‘We are going to be celebrating this one as never before and will deliver you one hell of a lineup, and mark my words: this is only the beginning!’ And so here are the 2014 acts: John Mayer, the Dave Matthews Band, John Butler Trio, Erykah Badu, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Iron & Wine, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Devendra Banhart, Morcheeba, Gary Clark Jr, KT Tunstall, Allen Stone and Valerie June. ‘John Mayer is finally back after seven years to play at Bluesfest again, says Noble. ‘When it comes to guitar he is undoubtedly to me the most talented of all performing today, simply untouchable. ‘I predict his new album Paradise Valley, released last week, is going to be at the top of the charts worldwide this week.
‘This is such a coup for us, and I am so proud to be presenting John on our big celebration year. We are not stopping there – I have attempted to bring back the Dave Matthews Band every year since they last played Bluesfest in 2005. ‘They are one of the top grossing, most in demand bands in the world – up there with the best of the best – and finally they are coming back to Bluesfest, for, not one, but two complete performances. ‘This is going to be magical and unmissable. I know their fans will be celebrating, and flying in, from all over the world for these incredibly special performances.’ Notching up 25 years of world-class music in 2014, the Bluesfest five-day festival will be held over the Easter long weekend, April 17–21, at the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, north of Byron Bay. For more visit www.bluesfest.com.au. Single-day tickets go on sale with first announcement.
Book lovers have their moment in the sun – p21
Byron Shire Council Notices Pages 44–45
Ewingsdale sports complex haemorrhaging cash: report It’s been revealed that the Byron Regional Sport and Cultural Complex (BRSCC) in Ewingsdale lost $300,173 last year and is critically underutilised. The claims come from an external report on BRSCC management, by SGL Consultants, that are to be tabled at this Thursday’s Council meeting. Regarding finances, the report says, ‘for every $4 of expenditure to operate facilities, only $1 in revenue is raised.’ Furthermore the report’s authors say that it’s ‘unlikely that Council will attract a suitable financial return from contracting out management as the first 12 months’ operations indicated there are a significant range of business constraints.’ BRSCC opened over a year ago at a cost in excess of $17m and was a jointly funded project between Council and the federal government, who contributed $9.5m. But Council has so far been unsuccessful in securing suitable management of the state-of-the-art facility and its 13.27 hectares; currently contract staff under direction by Council’s society and culture division act as managers of the
complex’s indoor facilities, outdoor netball/basketball courts and adjacent toilet/storage block. Earlier this year, negotiations with the PCYC to manage the facility were terminated by Council’s general manager Ken Gainger. And in light of the new SGL report, a new ‘direct management’ model will be now considered at Council’s next meeting. Mr Gainger said that direct management would enable Council to keep control of the facility while maximising community use. ‘In addition, new management initiatives would be introduced to reduce the current operating costs.’ ‘For example, the multipurpose facility has a superb commercial kitchen. If we retain a direct management model, Council will pursue leasing the space to a catering company that would be granted catering rights for events at the building.’ Also at this week’s ordinary meeting, Council will consider a report on the proposed Billinudgel Sportsfield. The report recommends that Council withdraw from negotiations with the landowner and consider other locations in the north of the Shire.
Rail trail study funding avail: MP Page Hans Lovejoy
Funding availabilty for a feasibility study into a rail trail on the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line has been announced by minister for the north coast, Don Page. Northern Rivers Rail Trail Inc (NRRT Inc) warmly welcomed the announcement, however train advocate Karin Kolbe from TOOT (Trains On Our Tracks) voiced concerns that the tracks would be
covered and a temporary bike path constructed over the rails. She told The Echo, ‘We need to have our bike tracks beside the rail, or to take our bikes on the train.’ Mr Page, when asked if he advocated a rail trail beside the rail or on the railways, said, ‘The rail trail would be for the most part on the existing track area and certainly within the rail corridor.’ Mr Page also said he would continued on page 3
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