THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 29 #06 Tuesday, July 22, 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
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Inside Oh, the letters that people this write – p11 week
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S U P P O R T B A C T E R I A : I T ’ S T H E O N LY C U LT U R E S O M E P E O P L E H A V E
Editor has a crack at the Mike Carlton’s Amusement Outdoor exercise in bulk clusterf%*k that is the ripping yarn – p43 – p17–32 fertile crescent – p10 – p16
Byron Shire Council Notices Page 44
Ewingsdale plans now public Hans Lovejoy
With big plans to surround the proposed Byron Hospital on Ewingsdale Road with a mixed residential-retail hub now released, public meetings have been called for Tuesday July 29 at the Ewingsdale Hall. Brisbane-based Belbeck Investments are proposing to develop seniors housing, medical centres, business premises, restaurants or cafes and shops, and Council have put the plans on public exhibition (bit.ly/1qJ44jP) for comment, which closes August 12. Last year, Council passed the development onto the state government for ‘Gateway’ determination but imposed conditions, including traffic and noise impact reports, sewage management clarification, heritage assessment of ‘buildings and surrounds’ and an assessment of possible site contamination, owing to its former usage as a cattle dip station. Council also requested a master plan that will ‘adequately address’ the requirement that aged-care facilities ‘are constructed prior to, or concurrently with, the retail/commercial precinct to guarantee that the seniors housing component is constructed.’
Growth management policy ignored At the time, Council staff appeared vexed as the proposal ‘may be inconsistent with the relevant regional and local strategic plans as it is promoting urban and commercial development on land not identified for such purposes.’ While claiming it ‘is not sound strategic planning’ when viewed in
the context of current strategic plans, staff said the proposal ‘does provide social and economic benefits for the community in a region with a rapidly ageing population.’ While mayor Simon Richardson says he will wait until the exhibition period is over before commenting, local conservationist Dailan Pugh has slammed Council for ignoring its own growth management policies and amending its Local Environment Plan (LEP) to accommodate the development.
LEP changed for development He echoed council staff concerns last year that the proposal is contrary to growth management strategies. ‘Back in 2011, the previous council decided that the Ewingsdale proposal should be included in the Growth Management Strategy they had previously resolved to prepare, so as to allow it, “to be considered in the context of urban growth and centres development throughout the Shire, and in the context of the Ewingsdale locality”. Most importantly this would have given the community their right to decide if such development was needed or appropriate for this site. ‘It adds insult to injury that Council is proposing changing its new Local Environment Plan (LEP) to allow the construction of some 166 houses for seniors on 250m2 lots, a 60-bed aged-care facility, a supermarket and specialty shops, and a medical centre on Ewingsdale Road, just up the road from the proposed 1,100 continued on page 2
Chalking up a decade The first and current market president, Kaye Shadbolt (left), is with Anthony Hotson and Heather Armstrong, who are looking forward to next week’s celebrations. All three have been at the Bangalow Farmers Market since the beginning. Photo Jeff Dawson
Celebrating ten years of locally grown fresh food, Bangalow farmers and producers will be throwing a community party with a free breakfast, entertainment and hamper prizes giveaways on Saturday July 26. President Kaye Shadbolt says, ‘We are a family-friendly environment and all are welcome to join us in celebrating ten healthy years in the Bangalow community.’ From
a handful of stalls in 2004, Bangalow Farmers Market now has about 20 stalls, serving mainly locals in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. As well as wanting to supply local, fresh, seasonal food to local consumers, the philosophy behind the Farmers Market was food security, food miles and regional sustainability. It contributes to the social and
economic welfare of both the rural and urban community, linking them together. After a few false starts, the market began at its current location behind the Bangalow Hotel, and was made possible thanks to the generosity and support of Cath and Tom Mooney. For more information visit www. byronfarmersmarket.com.au.
Surfer missing off Cape Byron Chris Dobney
Hopes have faded for 19-year-old Irish surfer Stuart Butler, who disappeared in heavy swells off Cape Byron on Saturday. Mr Butler remains missing after more than 48 hours, despite widespread search-
es for him, and police fear he has drowned. Two other men were rescued in the same incident on Saturday and several other surfers were rescued Sunday. A multi-agency search including Surf Life Saving NSW, Brunswick
Volunteer Rescue Association (BVRA) and planes from Australian Search and Rescue had to be abandoned yesterday owing to bad weather and high seas. Searching commenced again Monday morning but police say they are moving into ‘recovery mode’.