TO THE VISION The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 38 #18 • October 11, 2023 • www.echo.net.au
Future housing plan ignores ǟǝǟǟ ǖşşĎƆ
Operation Save Wallum
Hans Lovejoy With 2022 flooding in Byron Shire and the North Coast at levels never seen before, the public will be asked by Council next week to comment on future housing plans without vital information included. Council’s Housing Option Paper went on exhibition from October 9.
Mute mayor The Echo asked Mayor Michael Lyon, ‘Why is Council asking the public to comment on future planning that has key information missing?’ He did not reply. The Echo reported on July 26 that, ‘There is still no time frame for when the February/March 2022 flood data levels will be made public by the NSW Labor government, despite Byron Shire Council expressing its concern at how long the project is taking’. The Echo asked the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) last week, ‘Why has this report not been released yet, and why is it not underpinning future planning, given the enormous significance of last year’s flood? When can the public expect this data to be available?’ A DPE spokesperson replied in part, ‘The post-22 flood event analysis reports are a key priority for DPE. The reports, which cover multiple catchments, are still being finalised. These reports will improve our capacity to understand and plan for flood events in the future. DPE will share the completed reports with Council as soon as they are available’.
Some Byron Shire councillors have jumped on board the campaign to save rare ecological land slated for urban development in Bayside, Bruns. A motion by Cr Duncan Dey is proposed for this Thursday’s Council meeting which, if passed, would require scrutiny on the conditions of the DA, and refer it to the federal government for review as a matter of national environmental significance. Pictured are ecologist James Barrie, councillor Duncan Dey, and environmentalist, Nan Nicholson, with councillors, mayor Michael Lyon, activists and concerned neighbours. Photo Jeff ‘More Trees, Less Greed’ Dawson ▶ Full story on page 3
So what’s the plan to help the working homeless? Hans Lovejoy Given a housing crisis was declared in April 2021, what has Council done in that time to help those who are the ‘working homeless’? Local man, Duncan Campbell, approached The Echo to raise awareness of what he says is a targeted compliance blitz by Council on those forced to sleep in their vehicles. Campbell says while he can afford to rent, there is nothing
available, so he lives in his bus, while working locally in hospitality, and as a casual labourer. Since the housing crisis declaration in 2021, there have been attempts by Council to establish crisis and transitional accommodation, yet it appears those efforts so far have produced nothing. A mayoral minute from the June 8, 2023 Council meeting requested that NSW Homelessness Minister, Rose Jackson, assist in establishing
Reconstruction Local mum faces Authority yet to answer homelessness as questions ▶ p4 lease runs out ▶ p13
Potoroos at risk of extinction at Bayside ▶ p20
an ‘Assertive Outreach Program for Byron Shire, which matches the resource allocation for the Tweed Assertive Outreach Program’. Repeated attempts with both Council staff and Ms Jackson’s office to confirm whether Ms Jackson had replied have so far been unsuccessful. The Echo is also yet to hear from Ms Jackson’s office as to whether her ministry or any department is ‘considering creating what is done in
In correspondence from Council’s general manager, Mark Arnold, to housing advocate group, One Roof Byron on September 11, 2023, Arnold says a recent audit of Council-managed land for the use of emergency housing on public land ‘has found ▶ Continued on page 3
Get the scoop! ▶ p26
Sport and stars, hiding up the back this week ▶ p47
All eyes on Byron Bay ▶ p22
Qld, which is to establish emergency zones for those unable to find a home to be safe, with facilities?’
Secret land audit
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