THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 30 #06 Wednesday, July 22, 2015
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Council knocks back Bruns caravan parks approvals Eve Jeffery
Byron Shire councillors voted 8–1 last Thursday to knock back Crown Reserve Holiday Parks’ application for renewal of its approvals to operate the Massey Greene and The Terrace Reserve caravan parks at Brunswick Heads. Cr Diane Woods voted against the motion. She said in debate, ‘Nothing has been done to remedy the non-compliance issues. In fact there is actually more noncompliance.’ She said that she failed to see why Council couldn’t be stronger in its language in regards to the renewal of the caravans parks agreements. ‘Ferry Reserve is currently operating without a licence. We are meant to issue a licence and we haven’t done that yet. Is there some exposure for this council and for councillors in general?’
Ongoing headache The management of the caravan parks and foreshore areas has been an ongoing headache for Council and the community, with little hope of resolving this issue to everyone’s satisfaction. During public access John Dunn, representing the Brunswick Heads Progress Association, addressed Council in favour of the staff recommendation to deny the approvals. Mr Dunn said he was happy that Council are not automatically letting parks and foreshores become slowly included into caravan park areas. ‘Council should be applauded for
the stance they have taken over recent years to support our community in protecting our foreshores and opposing Crown Lands’ and North Coast Holiday Parks’ attempts to validate encroachments on public open space,’ he said. Mr Dunn said that Council had in recent times negotiated with North Coast Holiday Parks (NCHP) in good faith. ‘They have twice granted interim licence agreements, yet the only contribution NCHP has made has been plans of management that firstly ignore the restrictions placed on them in relation to the boundaries of the caravan parks, and secondly show utter contempt for the wishes of the community.’
‘Contempt’ ‘North Coast Holiday Parks have had years to bring the parks up to standard but have failed to do so. Their contempt for the community was made clear by their plans of management. Enough is enough.’ Mayor Simon Richardson said that even though Council felt quite rightfully aggrieved at losing the caravan parks, they have at least attempted to go into negotiations with NCHP and the community with a sense of goodwill. ‘None of that has been replicated or matched by the operators.’ He also said that he and Council will take every opportunity to hold NCHP to account and to resist this type of land grab as they have a responsibility to the community. Cr Woods also said, ‘If you go to Sydney now, all the foreshores continued on page 3
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What a Rukkus! SK8ers made a Rukkus in Mullumbimby on Sunday for the annual Byron Youth Service competition where skateboard riders of all ages vied for prizes, glory and time in the bowl. Ten-year-old Karlin from Ocean Shores was one of the competitors to put plank to curve at the Mullum skate park. Photo Eve Jeffery
Council wants Bruns dredging deferred Luis Feliu
Byron Shire Council has called on the state government to defer any dredging of the Brunswick Heads boat harbour and navigation channels, and will refuse to allow Council’s boat ramp to launch the dredge vessel till questions on the works have been answered. Council last week moved an urgency motion calling on lands and water minister Niall Blair to answer questions about the controversial dredging works, scheduled to start later this month. Concerns have been raised by councillors that the process in approving the dredging works is very flawed and locals, in-
cluding boaties, say it’s a massive waste of taxpayer money which will not help improve navigation safety.
Sludge dump Under the $600,000 plan, dredged sand and sludge from two sections of river channel is to be dumped on the southern end of New Brighton beach via an interim pipeline, while slurry from the harbour will be bagged and trucked out for disposal at a landfill site. Mr Blair is due to announce the Brunswick Heads project details and successful dredging contractor soon. Councillors (except for Diane Woods and Chris Cubis) voted to
write to Mr Blair seeking deferment of any dredging works until a series of questions on the impacts of the works were answered. The questions put to the minister included, ‘As works haven’t occurred for over 20 years, is work proposed “maintenance” or new?’, ‘What are estimated ongoing costs to maintain the assumed benefits?’ and, ‘Has the stated purpose to “enable safe boat passage” and “address public safety and environmental risks associated with shallow depths causing vessels to run aground” been assessed and supported by evidence?’ Councillors also wanted to know if Marine Parks supports the work or continued on page 2
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