Byron Shire Echo – Issue 22.48 – 13/05/2008

THE BYRON SHIRE ECHO Advertising & news enquiries: Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au Available early Tuesday at: http://www.echo.net.au VOLUME 22 #48 TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2008 22,700 copies every week Printed on 100% recycled paper

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Speed racers ready for billycart derby

The man behind the carts Howard Furner, the boys in the drivers’ seats, Mars Waterman, Dingo Hooper, Mason Waterman and Taj Birrel. Photo Jeff Dawson

Lou Beaumont How to build a billycart is up there with mum’s favourite recipes as vital information passed down through the generations. The Bangalow Billycart Derby is before us once again and will be gracing the main street of Bangalow on Sunday May 18, and this year dedicated billycarter Howard Furner has been again assisting local kids in getting involved. Furner will have three carts running this year and several kids of different ages driving them. He has been building carts since he was a five year old kid growing up in a country town, and now loves passing on the skills. ‘I started building carts again with my stepson eleven years ago. I have a four and a half year old son now and I am modifying the cart I

built over a decade ago so that my son can hopefully race with me this year. For this reason alone it is the most significant year for me with regards to this event. ‘The Bangalow Derby is such an incredible event. It brings so many people together. There is such a diversity of carts too. ‘When I was a kid carts ran on pram wheels which were so rough and antiquated compared to the wheels we use today. I love experimenting with different materials and I get so much out of watching the enthusiasm build in the kids. It’s like Christmas for them in my workshop. It has wheels hanging off the walls and materials everywhere, I’m a real hoarder of things. ‘We are known as “Team Goonengerry” and we will have that

painted on all the carts. We have a few mothers in our team too who are taking part in this year’s Mother’s Race. ‘We will all be working for a common cause on the day, being part of a team like this is inspiring, winning is just a bonus. We all help each other out on the day and the bigger kids help the little kids get the carts back up the hill. I can’t

wait for my son to experience it this year, he is so into it.’ The annual Bangalow Billycart Derby will be held on Sunday May 18. If you are interested in sponsoring, volunteering or participating please contact Tony Heeson on 6687 2580, 6688 4236 or 0419 715 098. Visit www.bangalowbillycart.com.au for the full schedule of events.

Woolies meeting this Wednesday Byron Shire Council will hold a public meeting to discuss the proposed Woolworths supermarket for Station Street, Mullumbimby, at the Council chambers this Wednesday at 6pm. Woolworths representatives ar expected to attend. Woolworths has lodged modifications to its DA, on public exhini-

tion until May 30 – submissions should go to the Department of Planning www.planning.nsw.gov. au. Among other issues, Council will look at the effects of the graded car park on flooding, and the traffic impact on neighbours for the altered loading dock arrangements.

Council aims for 9.4% rate increase If the NSW local government minister approves, Byron Shire ratepayers can expect a 9.4% hike in rates for the coming financial year. The increase is currently on exhibition until May 29 as part of Council’s Draft 2008-2011 Management Plan and Budget. Council adopted the document for public exhibition at its meeting on April 23. Council voted to support a 6.22% special rate increase in addition to the approved rate increase of 3.2% to ‘provide much needed additional funds to upgrade and maintain infrastructure’, according to a press release. The proposed additional rate funding includes increased funding to go toward the Byron Bay Library, Mullumbimby and Byron Bay Pool upgrades, Suffolk Park Child Care Centre, Public Toilets, Tourism Management Plan, Byron Bay Town Centre upgrade, Donaghy’s Bridge replacement (Goonengerry), and a range of environmental protection works associated with implementing existing strategies and plans. Many of these items were identified as priorities by residents as part of the recent community survey. A comparison of Byron Shire’s rates with other councils is available online at www.byron.nsw.gov. au under ‘Media Releases’. A rates calculator will also be available on Council’s website under ‘Current Matters’. Ratepayers will need to enter their rating category (eg residential) and valuation of their land as shown on their 2007/08 annual rate notice. Information about the rate increase and its impact on ratepayers will be available at three public meetings to be held at the Council Chambers in Mullumbimby on Monday May 12 at 6pm, at Council’s Depot Training Room, Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay on Monday May 19 at 6pm, and at the Ocean Shores Community Centre on Wednesday May 21 at 6pm.