THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 25 #04 Tuesday, June 29, 2010 Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au www.echo.net.au 21,000 copies every week
Reprieve on Roundhouse site
Residents and members of RAG met at the Roundhouse site at Ocean Shores on the weekend to celebrate the reprieve and to continue plans to resurrect the site. Story & photo Eve Jeffery
A decision on the Roundhouse site at Ocean Shores emerged at Byron Shire Council’s meeting last Thursday. Residents of Ocean Shores put in one last effort to sway the council and at the eleventh hour were granted a six month reprieve to come up with a viable plan. The staff recommendation on the agenda included Council endorsing the proposed plan for the Roundhouse subdivision, tenders being called for construction of the subdivision works and that Council resolve to sell sufficient lots as soon as possible to repay the loan of $985,000 and replenish the working funds by $65,000. The public access period was lively, with several residents in the gallery carrying placards. Jerry Cook from the Roundhouse Action Group (RAG), who was the author of a recent plan for the site, spoke about the cultural and economic value of the group’s plans for
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the land and former councillor Jan Mangleson pleaded for time to come up with a better option than Council’s plan to subdivide. A lone voice stood against the residents group. Fast Buck$ spoke about what he saw as the contradictory and convoluted history of the site and questioned both the value of the site to the rest of the shire and the historical motives of some of those residents involved in the current push to save the land. ‘The people of the Byron Shire don’t owe Ocean Shores anything,’ he said. Mr Buck$ believes that given the history of the Roundhouse, the site has already cost Council enough. ‘I don’t think Ocean Shores residents should come to Council with their hands out,’ he said. Cr Simon Richardson later moved that Council defer any decisions regarding the proposed plan for the Roundhouse subdivision for six months and allow for an onsite com-
Timor-Leste president receives honorary doctorate Dr JosĂŠ Ramos-Horta, the president of the Democratic Republic of TimorLeste, was made an Honorary Doctor of Southern Cross University at a ceremony held last Thursday at the Lismore campus. The award to Dr Ramos-Horta, in recognition of his significant contribution to international human rights, was conferred by the University Chancellor John Dowd. The MC for the ceremony was Janelle Saffin, federal Member for Page and University council member. The ceremony was part of Dr Ramos-Horta’s five-day state visit to Australia. Dr Ramos-Horta told those assembled, ‘I couldn’t fail coming here on the occasion of a state visit to Australia because of Janelle Saffin, a tireless advocate for human rights in the region. Also, John Dowd is a tireless advocate of Timor-Leste. ‘Thank you all for the support we have received from Southern Cross University, but also from members of the community.
‘Australia has been a most generous neighbour of Timor-Leste. The commitment Australia has made to Timor-Leste since 1999 we cannot quantify in terms of money because it is well beyond that. We can only say with sincere appreciation and gratitude how important and critical to the stability in Timor has been Australia’s support. ‘Today Timor-Leste is at peace and political tension is almost nonexistent.’ In presenting the award, Chancellor Dowd said Dr Ramos-Horta has ‘been a signal figure in bringing together the people of Timor-Leste’. Professor Peter Lee, Vice Chancellor of Southern Cross University, said the award was further evidence of the strong links between Southern Cross University and Timor-Leste. ‘We are undertaking a range of projects aimed at improving the social, economic and environmental conditions in this emerging and resilient nation,’ Professor Lee said.
munity open day. He also moved that Council receive from the Roundhouse Action Group a business plan outlining alternative proposals for the site that clearly outlines the level of support within the Ocean Shores community for the plan and the community fundraising possibilities and strategies to assist the funding of buildings and infrastructure on the site. The motion just made it past the post 5-4, Crs Richardson, Woods, Cameron, Staples and Heeson in favour, Crs Barham, Tabart, Morrissey and Tucker against. Jan Mangleson, Frank Mills and several residents met at the site on Saturday morning to celebrate the mini win and to continue plans to move forward. Though overjoyed with the reprieve, the group realises there is still a lot to be done. ‘We certainly have our work cut out Southern Cross University Chancellor John Dowd presents an honorary for us,’ Mrs Mangleson said. doctorate to JosĂŠ Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Q Council roundup, page 10
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