Back to School
THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 28 #31 Tuesday, January 14, 2014 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
Inside this week
NEW TERM BEGINS p19–21 CAB AUDIT
W E D O C O M M E N T O N O P E R AT I O N A L M AT T E R S , H E R R M O R R I S O N
Mungo, Sleepers awake, What the the man, Fukushima are write letters – p10 – p11–15 we in for? – p9
Enjoy Summer Life with the arts is life as we Holidays know it – p28 – p16 –17
Byron Shire Council Notices Page 43
Bruns Ship left high and dry by local MP Hans Lovejoy
Those operating a tourist-related business in Brunswick Heads be warned: it’s unlikely local MP Don Page (Nationals) will defend your activity from being taken over by the NSW government-run North Coast Holiday Parks (NCHP). Last week, The Echo reported that Brunswick Buccaneer boat hire operator Ilan Schnitzler is facing eviction by NCHP. But Mr Page is refusing to intervene, raising the question: how accountable is NCHP and its manager Jim Bolger to elected politicians? Emails obtained by The Echo show that despite having authority over Banner Park and the waterways opposite the pub where the boats are located, Crown Lands has palmed responsibility to NCHP. And while Crown Lands, under deputy premier Andrew Stoner (Nationals), did not reply to Echo questions, Mr Page did. He told The Echo, ‘I am advised that the [Brunswick Buccaneer’s] licence had expired some time ago.’
Terminated vs expired However, Mr Schnitzler’s solicitor, Claire Lovejoy told The Echo the licence ‘never expired and was instead terminated’. ‘There is a clear difference between “expired” and “wrongfully terminated”,’ she said. Mr Page then suggested that NCHP’s plan of management (POM) for the surrounding foreshore – now on public exhibition – could be an avenue for the operator to lobby his cause.
‘The operator, like all other interested parties, is able to make a submission as to the most appropriate future use for the site,’ he said. ‘Any future licence will be granted through a competitive tender process.’ While The Echo is unaware of other ‘interested parties’ wanting to hire boats in that location, kayak hire is now available at the NCHP’s Terrace Reserve Holiday Park, located a couple of hundred metres up the creek. The surprise announcement that Mr Schnitzler’s 30-year business would now be subject to a tender process comes without warning and is not even mentioned in NCHP’s plans of management. And despite no mention of The Brunswick Buccaneer either, there are concrete walkways and park extensions earmarked for the immediate area in the plan of management.
Conflict of interest While this appears to be ‘making it up as you go along’ governance, another unanswered question is whether the state government has a conflict of interest. When asked whether it was a conflict of interest to operate a commercial venture while having the power to issue licences for a similar private business close by, Mr Page said, ‘If they are hiring kayaks,’ he said, ‘then whether there is a commercial conflict of interest – or not – is a legal matter that would require appropriate legal advice. I am therefore not able to answer your question on conflict of interest.’ Q Disclosure: Mr Schnitzler’s solicitor is a relative of the reporter
Light and wellbeing New to this year’s expo was an interesting device which is said to release dimethyltryptamine (DMT) into the brain through light stimulation. Pictured is Kathryn Fennell relaxing in the zone. Photo Eve Jeffery
It was all zing, sparkle and Om as hundreds converged on the A&I Hall in Station Street for 17th annual Starlight Wellbeing Expo in Bangalow last weekend. The event, which started in Byron Bay, moved to Bangalow 13 years ago as the need for more space squeezed them out of town. Natural therapies, sound healing, psychics, kinesiology, iridology, numerology, astrology and essential oils, crystals and tarot were on offer. Special workshop presenters included researcher and author Steven Strong, who talked about evidence that prior to any known
human occupation of Australia we were visited by ancient Egyptians. Other drawcards included Jost Sauer, a motivational health speaker, ex-drug smuggler, deserter and gun runner who spoke about the mystical chi cycle and the map to destiny.
Multitudinous modalities Additionally, local Chris James showed a way for everyone to experience ‘freedom and deep inner connection’ to their own voice through the power of sound. A sacred healing ceremony was held by Chicchan.
Byron Bay HAZMAT incident NSW Fire & Safety HAZMAT (hazardous materials) officers from Byron Bay and Goonellabah decontaminated a patient at Byron Bay Hospital last Wednesday who was suffering from exposure to toxic farm chemicals. Eyewitnesses say the man was seen lying on a stretcher outside the hospital around 11.30am surround-
ed by emergency services personnel wearing HAZMAT suits.
Organophosphates A number of emergency vehicles were parked on the road near the hospital, adding to the already heavy traffic on Shirley Street. A media spokesperson told The
Echo a farmer had called the hospital saying he was possibly exposed to organophosphates while spraying cattle. The man suffered blurred vision and vomiting and after decontamination, the man was handed over to the hospital for further treatment. He was later discharged the same day in a stable condition.
Experience one of nature’s sacred places nestled in the Byron Shire hinterland Dz ǡ ǡ ơ Ǥ Ƥ our must return here list, and we live in Canada!” – Trip Advisor “WOW! What an experience! I loved every second. The serene atmosphere, positivity and energy of this sacred place is worth every cent of the entrance fee. Leave yourself a LOT of time – you might lose track of it.” Included in your visit: Botanic gardens and rainforest walks, Kalachakra Stupa for World Peace, The Crystal Castle Guidebook, Children’s playground and face painting! Aura photos and Readings available by appointment.
Open daily 10–5 6684 3111 www.crystalcastle.com.au