SIGN ON 2014
THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 28 #33 Tuesday, January 28, 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
PAGES 16–19
E A R T H W I T H O U T ‘A R T ’ I S J U S T ‘ E H ’
CAB AUDIT
What does the Political Ewingsdale camera earn funding the NSW govt? – p9 antics – p12
Inside What does the editor think of West Byron? this week Glad you asked – p10
West Byron in gridlock As for residential density, he says, ‘The current proposed allotment Will Byron Bay’s traffic gridlock size is too small and the overall be addressed before the first sod is density of development is not comturned on the yet-to-be-determined patible with the general urban form and character of Byron Bay.’ West Byron Project? And similarly, the concerns of Yes, according to NSW minister for the north coast and Byron resi- flood mitigation raised in 2011 also remain. Mr Darney said staff have dent Don Page MP (Nationals). It comes as public submissions recommended within the submisclose this Friday for the proposed sion that they are not satisfied with estate, located 2.5 kilometres west of the flood planning levels as prothe CBD. If approved, it would be posed by the developer. ‘The flood levels and flood planthe town’s largest suburb in decades. Mr Page told The Echo, ‘I have ning levels for the development told the consultant for the West By- must be consistent with Council’s ron landowners that I will not sup- adopted flood study and flood port the project unless the Byron management plan, which follows the process in the NSW flood plain bypass has been constructed. ‘We have serious traffic congestion development manual.’ However on its website’s FAQ, in Byron already and it should not be exacerbated. There are other is- the West Byron Project claims, ‘The sues which also need to be considered department commissioned WMA with their proposal and this is cur- Water to undertake an independent rently happening through the public review, which supported the modelexhibition and consultation process. I ling and flood planning levels. ‘There are no developable lots in will treat those issues on their merits.’ But are the issues being addressed? high flood hazard risk areas. There Not according to Council’s plan- will be a negligible impact on offsite ning staff, who say issues remain, peak flood levels.’ which they raised with NSW Planning and Infrastructure in 2011. Director of Council’s environBut it’s just not roads, density ment and planning, Ray Darney, or flooding issues; Mr Darney says told The Echo that, ‘staff have rec- there would be a significant amount ommended within the draft sub- of infrastructure required to service mission that the bypass needs to be up to 1,000 allotments. completed prior to any residential ‘Staff will be recommending to subdivision proceeding at the site.’ continued on page 2
The book about crystal meth, and more – p25
Byron Shire Council Notices Page 41
A day for everyone
Hans Lovejoy
Council pressure
See the video of this story at As part of Australia Day, Survival Day celebrations recognise the indigenous people of this large island we all call home. To celebrate the survival of Aboriginal people and their culture on Sunday, a relaxed gathering of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people joined together at Apex Park on Cavvanbah’s Main Beach. Descendant of the first people, James Kay Wearne, enjoyed the sun and the crowds and the chance to wave Harold Thomas’s flag along with the green and blue flag for the people of the Torres Strait. Photo Eve Jeffery
La Playa locked out but still operating The operator of Byron Bay’s La Playa restaurant/lounge bar (now called Soho) is refusing to leave the premises after he was given an eviction notice for unpaid rent. In a bizarre twist of events, the bar’s owner John Cooper was in the building when locksmiths arrived to change the locks, and now he won’t leave. He told The Echo that he has no intention of closing the door to lock himself out. ‘My rent is now paid up and was only 16 days late’, he says. ‘Due to the fact that I have invested $350,000 [in renovations] and have ongoing business and bookings
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there, I have remained in the building to continue to trade.’ The venue at 9 Fletcher St made news late last year when it was sold to strip club operators who opened there briefly but were denied a liquor licence. Plans were subsequently scuttled by the Office of Gaming and Liquor (OGLR) after the mayor and community expressed outrage. Meanwhile, a court case between Cooper and landlord Bill Bailey will be heard in a week, according to Mr Cooper. Mr Cooper has complaints about common area improvements, the lease change-over and delays to
renovations required so he could re-open and trade.
Court case looming He claims when he took over the lease three years ago, the building, ‘had been gutted and was in a severe state of disrepair’. ‘[After renovations] We began to wonder why we were been treated this way, especially after we had spent well in excess of $250,000 on renovating to a high standard. Mr Bailey was so pleased with the [renovation] work, that on several occasions he asked to parade memcontinued on page 3