THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 30 #16 Wednesday, September 30, 2015
www.echo.net.au Phone 02 6684 1777 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au 23,200 copies every week
pp 14–15 PAT R O L L I N G T H E B Y R O N S H I R E M A E L S T R O M
CAB AUDIT
Greenhouse emissions on the Paris table – p8
Cinema reviews – p28
Service directory – p30–34
Echo Live music Bruns sculpture property roundup – p29 walk – p16 – p17–21
Hans Lovejoy
Otto from Die Roten Punkte was just one outstanding act who performed at the wonderfully successful threeday Mullumbimby Circus Festival. Artists from around the world and around the corner thrilled the crowd, who were treated to a selection of the world’s best theatrical circus performances. A photo gallery is available at www.echonetdaily.net.au. Photo Jeff Dawson
Data retention unable to be implemented and ultimately it will not prevent or solve crime or “terror”. ‘As far as I know, no ISP in Australia is ready or able to comply at the moment. It seems everyone is going to ask for the maximum allowed 18 months delay, as we simply don’t have the systems or knowledge of what exact data we need to retain to comply with this law.’ It’s a position supported by Drew Moorley from World Without Wires, an ISP based in Lennox Head. ‘The legislation is purposely unclear’, he said. In the 13 years the company has operated, Moorley says around five or so requests have
come from police wanting to obtain personal data.
Privacy is paramount ‘We’ve always said to them that we won’t budge unless there’s a court order, and then we just hang up.’ He added privacy is paramount, and that as the company has gotten bigger, so has the frequency of requests. And it also appears threats are being made by the government to silent ISPs and telcos who have been granted an exemption. continued on page 3
ECO DENTISTRY • Safe mercury removal and disposal • Biocompatible BPA free white fillings • Bulk Billing to Eligible Patients • Environmental Hair Scanning
WWW.BYTESOFBYRON.COM.AU
netdaily
Falls Festival acts announced
www.echo.net.au/2015/09/wombats-wavvesto-hit-byron-shores-over-new-year/
Market stallholders maintain pressure
Life’s circus, Mullum style
A local internet service provider (ISP) has told The Echo that to their knowledge, no ISP is able to comply with legislation requiring them to retain their customers’ data for two years and allow security agencies to access their records. Known as the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention) Bill 2014, the law covers both ISP and telecommunications companies and is meant to take effect from October 13. TelcoGreen’s Ethan Timor told The Echo that he ‘strongly objects to the law’ as he believes it is a breach of privacy. ‘Data could be misused
Online in
Oh, the perils of rolling out complicated infrastructure projects on the fly. A meeting last week between Council staff, councillors and market representatives appears to have done little to ease concerns from market stallholders that their voices are being considered. They also fear that they will be forced to relocate after their March 2016 lease expires. The Echo previously reported that both Butler Street Reserve markets are in Council’s sights owing to its paid parking scheme, which is soon to be rolled out. Additionally, a works depot to accommodate the looming Byron Bay bypass has been earmarked at the western end of the reserve, which will also affect market operations. Council staff maintain that no final decision on the design for the Butler Street Reserve carpark has been made, and talks are ongoing. An e-news for stallholders has also been created for updates at www.byron.nsw.gov.au/markets-e-news. But Tane Allan, from the Rainbow Region Stallholders Association, says he is still concerned that his members have not been adequately considered and, more importantly, that his members are ‘not aware that Council plans this to roll out as soon as November.’ ‘Basically Council are doing what they want,’ he said, ‘but they have conceded a bit of ground – for example the works depot will be near the toilet block at the western end of the ground.’
Another committee member, Helen Burns, went further, telling The Echo, ‘It is clear that coexistence is only going to be our fitting into whatever Council decides.’ ‘The proposed car park at Butler St Reserve has now escalated from the original 40 spaces for businesses to 80 spaces. ‘The July 2015 meeting with Byron United [chamber of commerce] and Council regarding this issue well and truly quashed both ideas. ‘Now we have in place the new proposal of a paid carpark for public usage at Butler St Reserve, with space for 260 car spaces at $3 per hour, and capped at $20 per day between 6am and 6pm. With nary a mention of the markets.’
Covered with gravel Ms Burns says that Council staff advised, ‘80 per cent of the reserve would be covered with gravel.’ ‘This will have a hugely detrimental impact on the ambience of the markets; not to speak of the gravel dust that, by the end of a seabreezy day, coats every inch of stock and every inch of skin right down to the eyeballs! It will be ghastly. ‘This makes a mockery of mayor Simon Richardson’s overwhelming support for the markets as an iconic Byron event and significant contributor to the local economy – as was pitched to stallholders at the Community Centre meeting on August 5, which was also attended by Council’s Phil Warner, Cr Paul Spooner and market management.’ continued on page 2
ENVIRONMENTAL
HAIR SCAN FIND OUT YOUR LEVELS OF... vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fungus, virus and post virus, bacteria, chemicals, toxic metals, radiation
Only $99 RESULTS IN 12 MINUTES Retest in 90 days only $69
OPEN 6 DAYS UNTIL 8PM 140 JONSON STREET BYRON BAY 6680 8066 EMERGENCY 0412 120 002