INDEPENDENT LOCALLY OWNED ORGAN OF NEWS AND ADS SINCE 1986 The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 38 #11 • August 23, 2023 • www.echo.net.au
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This was because, in spots where there are bridges, tunnels, and embankments, there is not enough space for both the rail line and a bike path, meaning that the latter would have to be diverted around. As a result, is was recommended that Council instead implement only a rail trail in the northern and western sections of the corridor, and seek funding to achieve this aim. The findings of the investigation adds further momentum to the ongoing campaign to use the entire Casino to Murwillumbah rail corridor for a Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
The trail, a pathway for cyclists and pedestrians, is already being progressively implemented; the section from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek opened earlier this year. With all other councils along the corridor, except Byron, indicating their support for a rail trail option, Byron has been left as the last Shire holding out for a return of trains to the tracks. The Burchills investigation and report further erodes Byron Council’s pro-train position, which has been gradually losing momentum during the current term of Council. This is despite rail advocates recently securing access to the disused line for a line condition study. A similar study has also been approved for the area of line between Bangalow and Lismore. Independent Byron councillor and train advocate, Peter Westheimer, said that the rail condition studies will show that it would be affordable to have rail with trail, contradicting the findings of the Burchills reports. ‘Council should not have FOMO [fear of missing out] for not joining the rail trail bandwagon, but should be proud and glad like we are, as the only council in the Northern Rivers who choose not to fluoridate’, Cr Westheimer told The Echo. ‘We chose that path, despite the naysayers in the bureaucracy telling us we were making a big mistake, and it’s the same situation now’. Meanwhile, a petition started by Labor Cr Asren Pugh which calls for a rail trail to be built in Byron Shire, has attracted over 5,150 signatures. Visit chng.it/VYkSHKNHf5 for more info on the petition.
Main Arm residents found safe after being lost at sea ▶ p5
Richard Jones has a vision ▶ p10
Paul Bibby Building a rail trail for bikes and pedestrians in the northern and western sections of the Byron rail corridor is far more feasible than attempting a mixed-use option that combines trains and a trail, an investigation commissioned by Byron Council has found. In two reports coming before this week’s Council meeting, engineering consultants Burchills explored the areas of the rail corridor north of Mullumbimby to Crabbes Creek and west of Bangalow to Booyong. The investigations found that pursuing an option that combined rail with trail in these parts of the corridor presented significant challenges. In particular, it found that endeavouring to keep the track itself available for rail use in these areas would significantly impede, and add to the cost, of building a rail trail for bikes and pedestrians.
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Blake, Eco, Marija and Justin at the SES depot in Mullumbimby. Story & photo Eve Jeffery Without the many rescue and recovery volunteers in the area, those devastated by last year’s floods might be a lot worse off. Volunteers from the Mullumbimby SES Unit were fully activated and on alert in February and March 2022, as waterways reached unprecedented levels and properties were inundated – people needed help. The unit, whose brief is to help out during floods, storms and tsunamis, responded to approximately 800 calls for assistance from the community during 2022. They are also called upon by other emergency services. One of the silver linings of the events of 2022 was the influx of people wanting to volunteer with
Edward Herring returns! ▶ p12
the service, but more people are needed. There is a job for everyone within the organisation, and those who think they might not be strong enough, or fit enough, may be surprised at the myriad of things they can do to help keep the service running smoothly.
mşŕȒëĈƐĶưĕ ſşōĕƆ This includes being on the incident management team, community liaison, volunteer coordination, training and general administration. Volunteer, Eco, who has been with the service for about five years, says that volunteer numbers doubled from 15 since 2022, but they need more. He says, ‘We have a lot of
administration roles that we still need help with. Especially with community engagement’. Justin, who has been with the service for just over a year, is a double lung transplant recipient, and says that he wanted to show that People With Disability (PWD) are welcome to join the service. He says, ‘There are a number of people who have a wide gamut of disabilities who volunteer. I want to show that there is actually a role for everyone’. The Mullum unit also has an even representation of males and females. If you want to become part of this great team that supports the community in times of need, you can join the SES by visiting: www. ses.nsw.gov.au/volunteer.
Home and garden ideas to make your space ▶ p21
Fire up it’s footy finals time ▶ p43
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