THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 31 #19
CUP
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
www.echo.net.au Phone 02 6684 1777 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au 23,200 copies every week CAB AUDIT
page 15
I G O T I T B A I R D ( A N D T H AT A I N ' T G O O D )
Mandy Nolan: 'If planet earth were a rental, we wouldn't be getting our bond back' – p33
Phillip Frazer on the war on science, truth and gender – p11
New suburbs proposed
Byron Bay Film Fest reviews – p14
Online in
netdaily
2.2 million hectares of koala habitat under threat www.echo.net.au/2-2-million-hectares-nswkoala-habitat-cleared-claims-wwf/
Cavanbah capers
Residential strategy now on exhibition Hans Lovejoy
Who wants Billinudgel to become a suburb? How about extending Mullumbimby to the west, north and east? Expanding Ewingsdale and creating a suburb at Skinners Shoot are other suggestions for possible future residential areas in Council’s preliminary draft residential policy, out now for public comment until November 11. According to the draft policy, large swathes of agricultural and rural land could potentially become (greenfield) suburbs by 2036, despite government requirements for housing numbers already being largely met by planned and potential infill developments. The residential strategy is a key planning ‘instrument’ that sits below other planning documents that guide how and where development occurs. Underpinning the residential policy are directives from the state and federal governments, particularly the state government’s Draft North Coast Regional Plan, which was released early this year and has not been heard of since. That plan mainly identified roads and airports as desirable infrastructure and caused a stir owing to also identifying CSG for the north coast. Another document that staff say ‘informs’ the preliminary draft residential policy is the December 2015
Byron Shire Housing Needs Report. Authored by Brisbane-based Buckley Vann Town Planning Consultants, the 134-page report examines obstacles that inhibit housing growth and recommends ‘regulatory or policy change’, addressing ‘internal Council governance’ and ‘Council-led initiatives.’
Biodiversity hotspot Retired planner John Sparks, who provided input for West Byron and the Byron Bay Masterplan, told The Echo that ‘Byron Shire is part of one of the most biodiverse areas of NSW with more species of plants and animals found here than in any other ecosystem in the state.’ ‘The value of nature and what it provides to our way of living is not quantified or recognised in the current strategy and should be considered before any built environment is proposed. ‘Our existing statutory planning system is based on conflicting regulations which are forever challenged and manipulated to suit private agendas. You cannot regulate for good design. A strategic plan must consider all aspects of social, political, economic, environmental, sustainable, ethical and spiritual aspirations of the people who will live, work and play there, creating a positive strategy for growth with multiple benefits to the community it serves.’ Q Editorial page 8
The Cavanbah Centre on Ewingsdale Road held its open day on Saturday, which featured a special performance by Arakwal dancers along with food, music – and sport of course! Clockwise from Billy Blair the dragon is Calum Kirkpatrick, Odin Bennett, and Harper Faulks. Photo Jeff Dawson
Govt’s shark nets opposed The state government’s latest announcement for shark nets to be trialled at Sharpes and Lighthouse beaches in Ballina appears to be dividing the community, with the local MP, mayors and environmental groups claiming such a move would be devastating for marine life. Greens Ballina MP Tamara Smith, both Ballina and Byron Shire mayors, Sea Shepherd and Australian Seabird Rescue (ASR) have all voiced their opposition to shark nets for a six-month trial period. It follows an attack on 25-year-old Seneca Rus in clear water at Sharpes Beach mid-morning on October 12.
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Mr Rus received a single puncture wound, despite having his surfboard trashed. His attack comes just over two weeks after teenage surfer Cooper Allen was mauled by a shark at Lighthouse Beach. It was after that attack the government first indicated it would reconsider netting, following the failure of eco-barrier trials at Lighthouse and Lennox Head beaches. And owing to the moratorium on building new shark nets, the government will need to ask their federal counterparts to change Commonwealth legislation to allow it to proceed. Ballina MP Tamara Smith told
The Echo that shark nets are old technology, don’t work and have reduced marine life on the Gold Coast, where they are deployed.
Shift in sentiment The decision was made owing to a ‘shift of sentiment’, premier Mike Baird said when announcing it on Facebook. The statement was supported by primary industries, land and water minister, Niall Blair. The Echo asked Mr Blair’s office who on the north coast was consulted on this decision and who/what organisation asked for the nets, but is yet to receive a reply.
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