BYRON REGION COMMUNITY COLLEGE
THE BYRON SHIRE
BUILDING REVITALISATION
Volume 25 #17 Tuesday, September 28, 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
Official opening Wednesday October 6, at 10am
OF HUMAN BONDAGE
Uncle Harry asked to leave
Special feature – pages 14-15
Optus tower opposition grows Eve Jeffery
Residents adjacent to the lookout at Ocean Shores have begun to voice their opposition to a proposed Optus Tower destined for the site. Homes in the vicinity recently received letters from the council informing them that the tower would replace the 25 metre pole currently on the site and that the existing blackspot equipment would be transferred to the new Optus monopole. Byron Shire Council’s executive manager of planning Ray Darney said the proposed Optus telecommunication tower would replace the existing pole with one 30 metres in height and it would be located approximately 60 metres from the nearest residence.
Health risk and aesthetics concerns
radiation emitted from these types of towers could be genotoxic. This tower is too close to where people are living, it is a serious health concern.’ Another concern Tina has is for the aesthetics of the site. She says that the tower would be five metres taller than the current tower and would have several large ‘branches’ attached to it, similar to the one on Mudges Road in Ocean Shores.‘This lookout is a tourist attraction. The new tower will be an eyesore that will be seen from as far away as Byron Bay.’ Council does not currently have a lease arrangement with Optus for the site at Warrambool Road. Mr Darney said the application will be determined on merit and reported to Council for consideration before any lease arrangements are negotiated with Optus. Council has an existing ten-year licence with Broadcast Australia Pty Ltd (SBS) at the site, which generates $2,000 per annum. Mrs Beattie says she intends to present council with a petition when the matter becomes before them. For anyone wishing to view the plan, the development application is on exhibition until Wednesday October 6.
Tina Beattie lives directly below the current tower which is where the proposed replacement will also be installed. Her foremost fear is the health Members of the Arakwal Corporation have asked Uncle Harry to leave the campsite next to Council chambers in risks created by radiation emitted from Mullumbimby. He and his supporters occupied the site from September 3 until last Monday. the tower. ‘My major concern is for our health,’ ‘I am confused as to who is here for ‘We are the people of this land. Story & photo Eve Jeffery Harry Boyd is from Woodenbong. Woolies and who is here for Uncle she said. ‘Some research shows that Stan Robinson Park at the council They are breaking lore. You can’t go Harry,’ said Ms Kay. When asked about the Woolworth’s chambers in Mullumbimby was the- into other people’s country and light development, Ms Kay said that it was centre of controversy on the weekend fires and bring in people.’ Ms Kay said that she felt that Uncle wrong for anyone to speak on behalf when the Arakwal people gathered to demand that Uncle Harry and others Harry and a contingent of random In- of the whole community. ‘This issue digenous and non-indigenous people has divided Mullumbimby and Uncamping in the park leave. Police and security arrived at Stan were pushing a barrow for their own cle Harry is just fueling the division. As far as the Arakwal are concerned, Robinson Park at 6am on Monday to hidden agenda. there is no cultural significance to the enforce the eviction notice and disUsing Woolies to bolster development site. There is nothing mantle the camp. buried there nor was it a special place By that morning, Uncle Harry and own campaign for the Arakwal people.’ his supporters had vacated the land; She told The Echo that she feels UnAbout twenty Arakwal people arhowever, some protestors had remained without camping equipment.. cle Harry is using the Woolworths rived at the park on Saturday to ask Spokesperson for the Arakwal peo- issue and those involved in other pro- the campers to leave and they apple Delta Kay was both angry and tests against the development to gain peared again on Sunday. Ms Kay says that Arakwals will visit distressed as what she sees as and tenure in the Arakwal region and to invasion of Arakwal land as well as bolster his own campaign to gain cul- the camp every day until Uncle Harry the media coverage that Uncle Harry tural governance of the area. He wants and his mob vacate. ‘We will visit each day,’ said Delta. has received in his quest for answers to be recognised as the true custodian regarding the use of the land for the of Arawkal land, according to Ms Kay. ‘We cannot stay here 24 hours a day Uncle Harry’s denial of the Arak- until they go. We have jobs to go to As their contribution to Clean up the World Day last Friday, Shearwater Woolworths development. ‘We are here to let the Mullumbim- wal and Bundjalung is common and families to look after, we cannot students paddled down the Brunswick River from Mullum to Brunswick gathering flotsam – like the scrap wire Leon Meredith is holding. by locals know that we want these knowledge to those who have visited afford to sit around all day.’ the park. nutters off this land,’ said Ms Kay. continued on page 2 Photo Jeff Dawson
Cleaning up one scrap a a time
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thanks mum