THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 30 #08 Wednesday, August 5, 2015
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Bishop resigns – p10
U N F O R T U N AT E LY S T I L L U N D E R T H E S A M E M A N A G E M E N T
Real Surprise! The govt says A&I Estate Health and estate Council’s rock wall is a feature Healing – p27 – 34 bad idea – p5 – p14, 15 – p17–20
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Nannas call for cancellation of Metgasco CSG licence www.echo.net.au/2015/08/nannas-call-forcancellation-of-csg-licence-in-clarence/
Here’s to the vollies Byron markets fight eviction
Will the town’s market location make way for parking, bypass? Hans Lovejoy
A team of more than 150 festival volunteers will help make this weekend’s much loved Writers Festival possible. Festival chair Chris Hanley says, ‘This year has seen the strongest ticket sales in the festival’s history, which is a testament to the rich, stimulating program and to the incredible team that’s pulled it all together.’ The festival kicks off Friday and The Echo has it covered with a program in this issue. Photo Jeff Dawson
Paid parking still on the nose Another meeting, held by the town’s chamber of commerce last Thursday with Byron Bay business owners, has not produced any more fans of Council’s plans to introduce paid parking into the CBD. Byron United president Michael O’Grady told The Echo, ‘There is widespread concern about what paid parking will do in Byron Bay, with many members not wanting paid parking at all. They think that it’s unfair and that it will leave Byron businesses vulnerable.’ Councillors were divided at last week’s meeting, which considered a staff report on the rollout. And while mayor Simon Rich-
ardson made a concession to lower the resident coupon to $50 per year instead of $100, he used his casting vote to reject an amendment by Cr Cubis, which would have seen $4 per hour parking reduced to $3.
Rescission planned But Mr O’Grady confirmed with The Echo that Cr Richardson’s $4ph plans may be overturned and reduced to $3 after a rescission motion was lodged after the meeting. Council meet again this Thursday. Last Thursday’s motion also passed with the mayor’s casting vote, and confirms Council’s ‘intention to introduce a system of paid parking
to the Byron town centre during the 2015/16 financial year.’ It’s a system based upon a ‘pay by number plate approach.’ Additionally, the motion states that the current market location, Butler Street Reserve, will ‘be made available as an all-day carpark, operating 6am to 6pm daily, with an hourly rate of $4, up to a maximum of $20 all-day, with the Shire resident or ratepayer exemption applying and a $40/month non-Shire worker/business operator fee.’ Crs Wanchap, Spooner, Cubis and Ibrahim voted against the motion, while Cr Richardson, Hunter, Cameron and Woods voted for. Cr Dey was absent from the vote.
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Both Byron Farmers and the monthly Sunday Community Markets have rejected plans to be relocated from Butler Street Reserve after councillors voted last Thursday that their licences ‘may not’ be re-issued next year. A unanimous motion supported the staff report and will ‘provide written advice’ to market managers of the decision. Cr Dey was absent and Cr Spooner abstained from voting. While Council will ‘enter into discussions’ with the operators on a future location, it will also offer assistance in ‘seeking and facilitating a suitable long-term markets venue in or around Byron Bay.’ But that’s it – no prior planning or discussions with market operators appear to have been instigated by Council. The Echo reported last week that Farmers Market organisers sought a meeting with Council’s general manager Ken Gainger after learning of the plans, and have now confirmed the fight is on. Farmers Market treasurer Kaye Shadbolt and Community Market manager Tess Cullen confirmed with The Echo that both markets met last Friday and plan to unite against the eviction. Ms Shadbolt said, ‘The Community Market sees no reason for Farmers Market to have to re-locate
for bypass or a carparking trial.’ ‘We also want to stay on Butler Street Reserve and only move temporarily when the bypass is being constructed. We are preparing a joint letter to Council regarding this issue, to be sent early this week. ‘We believe that markets and carparking trial should be able to coexist. Also, Farmers Market has requested a meeting with councillors, as we have not had the opportunity to speak with them as yet.’ ‘Currently Council is asking for submissions for the Byron Bay Bypass. Council is telling us this is another reason why we have to vacate Butler Street Reserve. [But] in the DA from the proposed Construction Engineers (GHD report, page 4, 1.2.3 Market Relocation), it says, ‘The weekly Byron Farmers’ Markets is not anticipated to need [sic] to be relocated. ‘It is a shame that the Council is so out of touch with the community.’ Cr Paul Spooner, who is also the manager of the Byron Community Centre, which manages the monthly community markets, told The Echo he is concerned that the markets have not been considered in enough detail. He also said that he is concerned that Council’s current projects are putting too much pressure on staff and the community. continued on page 3
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