THE BYRON SHIRE
Health & Healing
Volume 29 #34 Wednesday, February 4, 2015 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
CAB AUDIT
IF YOU DON’ T LIKE THE EMPIRE, MOVE TO ANOTHER GALAX Y
Byron’s Cinema Repairing filmfest reviews that Belongil bite – p27 catchment – p12 – p16
Food, gigs, Tradie and movies professionals – p20–28 directory – p29
p. 18
Byron Shire Council Notices Page 38
Byron traffic plan Costumes cleared and aired meets resistance Hans Lovejoy
Plans to construct a permanent second lane along Shirley/Lawson Street into Byron Bay by Cr Wanchap have come under fire from the planning consultants that are formulating a master plan for the town. The proposal, which passed with a majority vote in Council last year, would also see the Jonson/Lawson Street roundabout link Bay Street via the Jonson Street north carpark. But such a move has again highlighted the arbitrary planning decisions by the majority of councillors; this project falls outside the master plan which is currently underway. Additionally, Council staff have also voiced concerns over the ‘questionable benefits’ and ‘unintended consequences’ in a report included in the upcoming agenda on February 5. McGregor Coxall were commissioned by Council last October to provide an ‘holistic consideration of all the issues in the town centre,’ and a report is expected later in the year. In a letter to Council on January 29, director Philip Coxall said that
by pursuing the road changes, ‘it is potentially reinforcing the community’s dissatisfaction with the haphazard planning of the centre as well as undermining the holistic masterplanning process.’
Inconsistent data Mr Coxall also claims that GTA Consultants, who are involved with the master plan design, say that ‘current traffic data are inconsistent and focus on managing traffic, not reducing traffic.’ He says that key limitations resulting from Cr Wanchap’s project could include exacerbating the visual impact on Apex Park, increasing vehicles and pedestrians, further degrading the ‘entry experience to the town and spreading traffic congestion to the foreshore’. He also says it could ‘further reinforce the disconnection between the community, town centre and governance.’ As for economic development, Mr Coxall says, ‘It would hinder our team’s feasibility work on one of the key catalyst sites we have identified. continued on page 2
Cr Wanchap’s road proposal, which she told The Echo will be used on Thursday to explain the short option.
Spaghetti Circus family members Rich Morrod, Alaria Morrod, Leonie Mills, Lani Cleaton, Tombo Morrod and Avalon Swann with Snoopy the dog all helped to clear and sort over 8,000 one-of-a-kind costumes at the Mullum Showgrounds last weekend. It was part of a free open day, which drew over 250 locals. Photo Jeff Dawson
Mullum 4G Telstra tower disrupts TV reception, EFTPOS If Mullumbimby residents and businesses are having TV reception issues and EFTPOS drop outs, the recent upgraded Telstra tower in the town’s CBD appears to be the culprit. Court House manager Laurie Driscoll told The Echo the 4G Telstra tower across the road on Dalley Street has caused havoc with the TV signal and EFTPOS. ‘A lot of people in the vicinity may have the same problem,’ he said. ‘Thankfully Telstra have accepted
liability, and agreed to reimburse us for the cost of having to buy and install a $400 filter to reduce the 4G interference on our TVs.’
$400 TV filter He says the problems with EFTPOS is yet to be sorted out, however. ‘The tower was upgraded from 3G to 4G, which is for high speed data, he said. ‘They need to reduce the output of the tower… we still have problems with our EFTPOS cutting out.’
Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club management also told The Echo that they have had issues with their TVs since the upgrade and that their local customers have also experienced pixelated TVs at home.
Fixed line EFTPOS ok As their EFTPOS is a fixed line, there have been no issues with drop outs, they said. To file a complaint, call 125 111. The Echo contacted Telstra but is yet to get a response.