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THE BYRON SHIRE
REJUVENATE PAMPER INDULGE
Volume 30 #27 Wednesday, December 16, 2015
www.echo.net.au Phone 02 6684 1777 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net 23,200 copies cop opies eve every week CAB AUDIT
Ken Johnson speaks of We’re going to be like the losing his son at Sydney’s Gold Coast! Cr Ibrahim Martin Place siege – p7 outlines why – p10, 11
Christmas tears of joy?
Festive Season Shenanigans – p29–33
Juzzie Smith and Santa Claus back Lexie Condie in her INXS rendition of ‘Baby Don’t Cry’ at Saturday’s Ocean Shores Christmas Party, hosted by the Ocean Shores chamber of commerce. Photo Jeff Dawson
Energy retailer reaches $3m milestone needed to launch ‘Every share purchased is important for Enova to have a strong foundation to strengthen its success’, she said. Another important goal was reached, Ms Crook said, with the majority of share applicants – nearly 75 per cent – being northern rivers residents. ‘We are determined to take control of our renewable-energy future, providing local jobs, enabling new technologies and community benefit projects across the northern rivers
region,’ said Ms Crook. And in recognition of Enova’s importance on a national scale, Ms Crook says the remaining 25 per cent of share applicants have come from every state and territory in Australia. ‘In fact it could be said that the high ambitions of the northern rivers community could lead the way in Australia.’ For more info vist www. enovaenergy.com.au. Q Disclosure – The Echo has bought Enova shares.
netdaily Women strip to protest Roundup spraying
Online in
www.echo.net.au/women-stripto-protest-roundup-spraying
Markets under attack by Council faction Hans lovejoy
Startup community energy retailer Enova says with its Thursday share deadline looming, it has met its major capital milestone of $3 million required to operate. Enova’s chair, Alison Crook AO, told The Echo Enova Energy has now made Australian history by being the first community-owned electricity supplier. ‘But there is still time to be a part of this important history; the final close is 5pm (AEST) December 17 2015.
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THE LEFT AND RIGHT WING ARE FROM THE SAME TURKEY
Years of developing a market policy was ‘trashed’ unexpectedly last week by right-wing councillors Di Woods, Chris Cubis, Rose Wanchap and Alan Hunter. With mayor Simon Richardson at the Paris climate talks, they had the numbers at last week’s meeting to pass a successful motion, which will require the managers of Byron’s monthly market on Butler Street to submit a tender application – presumably along with other tender applicants – to ‘establish a long-term community market licence in Byron Bay.’ Although the staff report recommended to extend the market licence, Crs Woods and Cubis seized the opportunity to push for a tender process and canvass allegations about market operations. Cr Paul Spooner left the chamber owing to his declared pecuniary interest; his employer, the Byron Bay Community Association, holds the licence to operate the Community Market on Butler Street Reserve. Councillors against were Basil Cameron, Duncan Dey and Sol Ibrahim. Staff were also unsupportive.
Lack of detail Despite the lack of detail surrounding the motion, a six-month licence was granted to the Byron Community Association to operate the markets at the Butler Street Reserve. It comes at a time when the future of the markets is still unclear owing to ongoing negotiations regarding the Butler Street paid park-
ing plans and Butler Street bypass works. Byron Bay Community Association secretary David Sweet told The Echo the resolution ‘does not make much sense.’ ‘It has come out of right field, so we will have to seek further clarification from Council about their intention over the coming months.
Policy on the fly ‘It appears to be a decision that was made on the run without any forethought as to the stability, security and ongoing viability of the iconic Byron Community Market, and the many small businesses operated by stallholders. ‘This is of real concern to the market management. Council has now trashed the trust built up over three years through consultation and market policy development undertaken in good faith by market managers and stallholders. ‘From what we can determine from the decision it tends to confirm what many people already think about certain Byron Shire councillors, in particular, Crs Cubis, Woods, Wanchap and Hunter. ‘They seem unaware of the impacts on stallholders’ livelihood if you keep moving the market, especially out of town; and they seem unconcerned to jeopardise the vital work and community services of the Byron Community Centre, especially those provided to the most needy in our community.’ Q The full report is available at www.echo.net.au/market-attack.