THE BYRON SHIRE
SHOP LOCAL & WIN
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
www.echo.net.au Phone 02 6684 1777 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au 23,200 copies every week
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M LLUM HOP OCAL
Volume 31 #24
THIS CHRISTMAS! T H E D E AT H S O F A R T I S T S B R I N G S T H E R I S E O F D A R K N E S S
CAB AUDIT
Smart meters? Let’s have a look – p4
Calls for Suffolk Park sportsfield to be gifted While negotiations for Council to purchase Suffolk Park’s sportsfield on Beech Drive are ongoing, there are increasing calls for the land to be gifted and not sold. It appears to have wedged local Nationals MLC Ben Franklin, who told The Echo he ‘strongly supports’ entering into purchase negotiations as he believes that ‘the goodwill of both minister Adrian Piccoli and Byron Council has led to a great outcome for the community.’ Mr Franklin was quick to lobby his National Party colleague to retain the land for community use after the NSW education department declared it surplus and scheduled the land’s auction for November 29. Mr Franklin said, ‘Byron Council wrote to the minister for finance earlier this month stating that the property has an “estimated value range of $870,000 – $1,099,999” and that Council [would] be able to “enter into purchase negotiations” forthwith.’
Piccoli supports gift But Byron Shire Council staff, local Greens MP Tamara Smith and Labor’s Walt Secord now support the land being gifted, not sold. Remarkably the man responsible for the asset, eduction minister Adrain Piccoli (National Party), agrees. Ms Smith told The Echo, ‘When I asked about the issue, minister Piccoli said to me last Thursday on the way into question time, and I quote, “Given that the government has made an extra five billion dollars from the poles and wires, we shouldn’t be continued on page 2
Mullum Music Fest in pictures – p8
Mullum High School students beat an elite private school… at… chess! – p54
More than a pooch show
Spotted at Bangalow Show last weekend was Huon and his best friend, Teak, a Douge D’Bordeaux (dog for short). Teak was judged to be the pet with the best eyes. Photo Jeff Dawson
see pages 20 & 21
Online in
netdaily
Premier opens Lismore hospital’s $80m upgrade www.echo.net.au/premier-openlismore-hospitals-80m-upgrade
Concerns over Coorabell NBN tower A proposed 49-metre lattice-style NBN tower has activated Coorabell residents after NBN avoided lodging a DA with Council. While a development application (DA) would provide local regulatory checks and balances, NBN Co are able to construct towers under a state government policy called the State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 (ISEPP). There are instances were a council DA is required however, a NBN Co spokesperson told The Echo. They said, ‘The height, location and distance from the nearest residential area means this tower falls under the ISEPP and does not require a DA. A report stating this has been provided to Byron Shire Council. Council was satisfied with the report and, as a result, construction is imminent.’ continued on page 2
Byron bypass cost blows out to $19m Hans Lovejoy
While there appears little to no sympathy from councillors for the plight of Butler Street residents facing a bypass, local NSW MP Tamara Smith (Greens) has told The Echo that she ‘supports their right to take the matter as fas as they need to.’ At last week’s Council meeting, unanimous approval was granted for staff to relocate carparking associated with Byron Services Club in preparation for the bypass.
looking for a truly
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green
‘If the costs are continuing to rise, this should be looked at again,’ she says, and believes Council should ‘work more closely with the residents.’ While that position is at odds with Greens mayor Simon Richardson, Cr Paul Spooner confirmed with The Echo that the project’s budget was updated last July to $19m. The plans are to extend a widened road along Butler Street past the markets, and turn left through wetlands, emerging where Mitre 10 and Byron Music are located.
A Land and Environment Court case against Council, instigated by Butler Street Community Network and headed by Paul Jones, is yet to be heard.
Within expectations When asked for an explanation of the additional cost, Council’s general mananger Ken Gainger told The Echo, ‘Council, as is common with litigants, refrains from commenting publicly on matters currently before the courts so as not to
unduly prejudice its legal position.’ ‘While I can advise that progressive cost estimates for the Byron Bay town centre bypass are to date within Council expectations (the final cost will not be known until the outcome of court case is finalised and any further conditions of development consent and their cost implications can be evaluated), it is inappropriate to comment on the other matters raised by Mr Jones until the court litigation is settled.’ continued on page 2
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