TURNING A MINOR SCRAP INTO A MELODRAMA SINCE 1986 The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 38 #47 • May 1, 2024 • www.echo.net.au
Echo Property Magazine with this issue
Staff reporters
It was a sultry night of fun, extravaganza and artistic expression last Friday at the Brunswick Picture House with the performance of Kinky Draws. They drew voyeurs, artists and the Darling Muffs of May, who raised money for homeless women. The night was a great success, with over 100 people enjoying the night. Organiser, Kathy Toka, from Follow Your Art, put on the evening. She also runs weekly life drawing at the Bruns Picture House – to find out more, email her on art@followyourart.net.au. Pictured are Sophie Rising, Molly Snell, and Saucy Moon. Photo Jeff ‘Kinky Is My Art’ Dawson
Children at risk: caseworkers raise alarm Lismore and Ballina child protection caseworkers stopped work to protest outside the defunct Community Services Centre (CSC) in Lismore last Wednesday, April 24, after two years of working without an office. They were joined by Ballina child protection caseworkers, who had their office shut in January. Child protection caseworkers in the Northern Rivers say the failure to find them a fit for-purpose premises from which to work are a symptom of a broader crisis in the department. They explained that child protection caseworkers in the
Highest vacancy rate
Mother’s Day tree planting returns ▶ p4
‘One in four child protection caseworker positions are unfilled in the Northern Rivers. That means the Lismore CSC is ten child protection caseworkers short, the highest vacancy rate in the state,’ they said in their press release. ‘Only one in six children reported to authorities in the Northern Rivers as at risk of serious harm (ROSH) is seen by a child protection caseworker, the worst response rate in the state, well below the state average of one in four which is
Accountant and journalist face deportation ▶ p9
12
2024 20 • 24,700
RIVERS’ BEST
REAL ESTATE
printed copies across the regi
GUIDE
Contractor withdraws
Kinked by crayon
Northern Rivers report chronic understaffing and staff burnout.
page 8
Investor confide nce is growing – page
TH N THE NOR NO RT THERN
Issue #10, #10 May
Aslan Shand
The importance of landscaping – quality
already dismal. Right now, if cases are allocated, they are the most serious, and will likely lead to removals, as there simply isn’t enough staff to intervene early so as to keep children with their families.’ Ballina MP, Tamara Smith, told The Echo that she has met with the new Minister for Families and Communitie, Kate Washington, several times, including with the full Ballina team of the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ). ‘Our child protection system was chronically underfunded and devalued and put in the too-hard basket under 12 years of the coalition ▶ Continued on page 2
Time to get your mum something lovely ▶ p18
Local civil contractor, J&M Bashforth & Sons, has withdrawn from its contract to construct infrastructure for the Wallum urban estate, located on low lying land next to Simpsons Creek in Brunswick Heads. In a media statement, they said it was a difficult decision for the third generation family business, who has operated since 1946. And while there had been respectful and constructive conversations with those blockading the site, they said, ‘sadly, there has been some not-so-respectful and threatening interactions as well’. ‘The stress of worrying about abuse to our staff, and our family members, brand damage, vandalism to our yard, and machines has ultimately led to the decision of withdrawing from the project. ‘We believe we can walk away with our heads held high, and wish everyone involved on both sides of the fence all the best’. Save Wallum co-organiser, James Barrie thanked the company for withdrawing, and acknowledged they were ‘respectful and non-confrontational with the community protesting the development of threatened species habitat and sacred land’. ‘They certainly can walk away with their heads held high. We are all part of this community and it was hard being pitted against each other for the sake of outside developer interests and profits…’ In a statement from Clarence Property (CP), its CEO Simon Kennedy said they ‘respect and appreciate the difficult decision’. ‘Where possible Clarence Property prefers to use local contractors
Mullum’s laneways come to life this weekend ▶ p24
Harvest Food Trail ▶ p26
to support local jobs and local communities, however the safety of staff and contractors remains paramount. ‘Unfortunately, the ongoing threats and intimidation being used by the extreme political activists against local contractors mean some of those jobs and opportunities will now go to contractors from outside the area, discussions with whom have already commenced. ‘We are disappointed that an experienced local civil contractor like Bashforth’s will not be part of what will be an incredible, ecologically sensitive development and we wish them every success for the future.’
Not a set back, say CP The Echo asked Mr Kennedy, ‘how long the set back is expected to be in terms of continuing the works, given CP needs to secure new contractors?’ He replied in part that ‘it will not set back the planned works of the project’. The Echo also asked, ‘given Bashforth’s have withdrawn, who supports this development other than Clarence Property and those who have bought the lots prior to construction?’ While Mr Kennedy did not answer that question, he defended the process which led to the DA being approved by all government agencies, He was asked if CP would be able to get such a development through under current laws. Mr Kennedy replied ‘Clarence Property has not received any information from any government agency advising that the Wallum development would not be approved under current laws’. ‘The site has sat within land ▶ Continued on page 2
Culture vultures rejoice! Arts feature ▶ p30