THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 28 #16 Tuesday, September 24, 2013 Phone 02 6684 1777 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au www.echo.net.au 23,200 copies every week
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS T H E N E W W O R L D O R D E R I S N E I T H E R N E W, W O R L D LY O R A N O R D E R
CAB AUDIT
Inside The NSW Forestry Corporation this week smells funny – p8
Beau Young surfs Echo Beach – p11
NSW govt takes on plant kingdom – p13
Evolving into Spaghetti Circus flying high a local festival – p18–19 – p16–17
Ambitious Congrats to the Byron Bay Rams! NYE plans Byron Bay New Years Eve celebration plans were thrashed out at last week’s Council meeting, with recommendations being adopted from the Community Summer Safety and Cultural Activities Committee. The committee was formed in late May this year to facilitate a safety focused NYE strategy and summer holiday period, and is made up of two councillors; staff, police, business and youth representatives; and community members. As expected, the focus is family friendly, with activities concentrated around Railway Park instead of Apex Park and road closures in Jonson Street. It will conclude by 10pm although later an event is planned at the Youth Activity Centre (YAC). And the evening also includes perhaps the most ambitious plan to date for Council and the business community – the introduction of park and ride at both entry points to the town and paid entry continued on page 3
Byron Shire Council Notices Page 41
Protectors halt Whian Whian logging Staff reporters
As well as the milestone of a fiftieth year, the Byron Bay Football Club has another reason to celebrate – their Men’s Premier League team won 2–1 over the Lismore Thistles at Oakes Oval on Saturday evening. A highlight, apart from a top game, was the Premiership cup being specially delivered by the Westpac helicopter right into the middle of the ground. See more in today’s sport on page 40. Pictured is Rams captain Nick Baker, left, contesting possession. Photo Eve Jeffery
Fluoridation on the table A closed meeting between Byron Shire councillors and health professionals with opposing views on fluoridation will be held within a month after an emergency motion was tabled by councillor Di Woods at Thursday’s meeting. It comes as the NSW government last week offered a $7.5m incentive ‘to persuade recalcitrant councils to fluoridate their drinking water.’ There are 15 councils remaining across the state that do not fluoridate. In morning public access, a hand-
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ful of residents opposed to fluoridation voiced their concerns, while Cr Woods announced her appointment to the board of Rous Water, who supply the region through the Rocky Creek Dam.
Rous pushing for certainty on dosing When the urgency motion was debated later in the afternoon, Cr Woods was asked by fellow councillors to explain why her motion was
urgent. ‘Rous have to make their decision on how many plants they have to build,’ she said, and added that she had received many threatening emails so she wanted to address the issue as soon as possible. At times discussion became heated, and it was clear frustration stemmed from the lack of scientific knowledge among councillors. There were also concerns raised about how to mitigate a possibly angry community after last week’s public outbursts continued on page 2
Just who is breaking the law? It’s a moot question which last week sparked a week-long protest, an arrest and diversionary tactics that temporarily halted NSW Forestry Corporation’s logging of pristine rainforest in the hinterlands behind Byron Shire. Located on private property within a few kilometres of Protesters Falls and west of Goonengerry National Park, the government-run private enterprise is under fire by residents, The Crescent Moon Protection Group and ecologist Dailan Pugh, who claim the operation was not properly assessed, threatens vulnerable species and is therefore illegal. Mr Pugh said he had responded to the concerns from distraught locals, one of whom ‘cracked last Thursday and sat down in front of the loggers’. ‘Some locals invited a botanist continued on page 2
Second Bluesfest announcement Celebrating their 25th anniversary year, Bluesfest are building on their all-star 2014 program, with a second line-up being announced. Already announced is a long list of top artists, including John Mayer, Dave Matthews band, Erykah Badu, Iron & Wine and Michael Franti & Spearhead. So get ready, the list follows thus: Doobie Brothers, Aaron Neville (first Australian solo tour), Gregg Allman (first Australian tour), Boz Scaggs, India.Arie, Suzanne Vega, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Dr John & The Nite Trippers, Jamaican Leg-
ends featuring Ernest Ranglin, Sly & Robbie and Bitty McLean, Jimmie Vaughan, The Wailers, Ozomatli, CW Stoneking, Larry Graham & Graham Central Station, Grandmothers of Invention, The Magic Band, Robben Ford, The Paladins, The Music Maker Foundation featuring Pat Wilder, Cool John Ferguson and Little Freddie King. Festival director Peter Noble says, ‘We are so proud to be bringing you the Doobie Brothers, and just like Steve Miller Band at Bluesfest in 2013, they have hit after hit after hit.’ Visit www.bluesfest.com.au for more.
Gyuto Monks Return! Kalachakra World Peace Stupa Birthday Celebrations Monday October 7th to Sunday 13th The Gyuto Monks will be joining us with another enriching daily program, together we will create the Green Tara String Mandala of Compassion. It will take a community to build this mandala! Everyone is invited to participate.
Saturday 12th October – free entry for all visitors First Birthday Celebration of the World Peace Stupa Go to: crystalcastle.com.au/experiences/whats-on
crystalcastle.com.au