Byron wakes up to NYE aftermath Crowds chill at Falls Festival

56 Pages·2017·23.14 MB·English

THE BYRON SHIRE
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Volume 31 #30
Wednesday, January 4, 2017 Summer
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Byron wakes up to Crowds chill at Falls Festival
NYE aftermath
It all went off pretty well. Families ‘On Christmas Eve a couple of
enjoyed themselves in the celebra- hundred people partied there all
tion in downtown Byron Bay, the night, with their fires, lights and
Falls crowd was mostly happy and blaring music, not to mention rub-
Mullum chillaxed on New Years bish and lack of toilets. On New
Day. But there are always drunken Years Eve a few hundred people
yobs who care little for the lovely partied the night away there. Th e
backyard and some who hit the wildlife don’t stand a chance under
drugs a little too hard. this sustained attack.
Local environmetal activist Dai- ‘While I appreciate that careless
lan Pugh reports on the damage: ‘By- locals join in, the majority of pa-
ron Bay attracts visitors from around trons at these events are on annual
the world who come here because of migrations from the other side of
the natural values that have been de- the world. They are trashing the
stroyed in their own homes. Shame- home of our migratory species to
fully some visitors seem intent on pursue their hedonistic lifestyles.
trashing our home as well. ‘Byron’s transient Spanish com-
munity seem to be the core of the
Harassed
parties at Tallow Creek; I implore
‘Our coastal birds that roost and them to stop trashing it.’
nest around the mouths of Belongil
Passed out She goes in for the kiss, he takes the selfi e. The phone generation enjoy themselves at the Falls Festival up
and Tallow Creek estuaries are being Yelgun way over the weekend. See more photos in Echonetdaily – echo.net.au/chill-day-falls. Photo Tree Faerie
harassed into extinction. We have 17 Local police report that about
species of migratory shorebirds, such 6am last Monday a 27-year-old By- Mia Armitage include a festival targeted at youth Th e pop band from Sydney plays
as the Little Tern, that depend on our ron Bay man was found passed out who are oft en accused of ruining the infectious dance tunes with more
estuaries as staging posts to rest and at the camping entrance gate at the ‘All right, stop here, guys, let’s put on fun with excesses of hard drugs and than a nod to the 1980s in cruisy
recuperate on their annual migra- Falls Festival site. Concerned mem- some glitter,’ says the nubile teen to trashing the environment. synth beats, power suits in all col-
tions to the other side of the world. bers of the public contacted onsite her friends aft er making it through ours of beige, choreographed dance
Boomer reprimands
‘We have others which lost so paramedics. security at Byron’s Falls Festival on moves reeking of a jazz ballet ei-
much habitat that they are now vul- Paramedics arrived and attempt- New Years Eve. Glitter is back in But festivals are places where in- steddfod and Monte Morgan’s vo-
nerable to extinction. And there are ed to wake and assist the man; how- a big way at the 2016 farewell cel- hibitions and conservative stand- cals sounding a little early-career
many others that are coming under ever, he tried to attack them. Police ebrations: gold dust is smeared with ards are unwelcome and young George Michael in places.
increasing stress. and security were called, and had sweat over naked torsos, ladies’ eyes people, in particular, get a chance Judging by the super high-cut
‘Many birds that used to regu- to restrain the man to prevent him are adorned with silver diamanté to have fun without constant su- bikini lines on display around Palm
larly nest here no longer can, and it injuring himself and others. studs and stalls are styling punters pervision and reprimand from baby Springs – a portable resort respite
seems that now people won’t even Once restrained, the man was in metallic polyester outfits that boomers who tend to forget the way plonked in the middle of the festi-
give them time to rest and recuper- taken to the medical centre onsite for could well be as hot as the sun itself they used to party. val, where those who aren’t afraid
ate. It is bad enough that they are treatment, then later to Byron Hospi- to wear. Party time hits the Amphitheatre to bathe in one another’s essences
regularly harassed by pet dogs, care- tal. Th e man told police he had taken A predicted heat wave has kept again and again throughout the day go to cool off but mostly to look
less beach users or people wanting an amphetamine-type drug during up a Byron festival tradition of insuf- but it isn’t until the breeze picks up cool – the hipster fascination with
selfi es with birds wheeling around, the evening. He was issued a criminal ferable weather but if revellers are a and Client Liaison takes to the stage 1980s trends continues to fi nd new
but the constant partying at Tallow infringement notice ($500 fi ne) for little sluggish, it’s probably not a bad in the late aft ernoon that tired feet sources of inspiration for irony and
Creek is a death knell. his off ensive behaviour. thing. Byron’s bubble has swollen to begin to trample the grass en masse.  continued on page 2
Local News
North Coast news daily: netdaily
.net.au
Shire celebrates new year
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Crowds chill at Falls Festival
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continued from page 1 Anyone who has seen Baz founded – Grandmaster
Client Liaison capitalises well Luhrmann’s Netfl ix series – Flash barely pauses between
on the joke. the company’s most popular changing tracks, demanding
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original DJ. The pioneer of almost certainly come to jumping between his decks
Mullum
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scratching, mixing, cutting... hear the show’s inspiration, and front of stage to hear the
Chemsave
and the man who fi rst invit- Grandmaster Flash, ‘play audience sing in lieu of the
Customer Club. ed rappers to share the stage some breaks’. rappers he’s made famous
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he asks, unnecessarily. intoxicated) crowd is well While Grandmaster Flash
could easily have spun the
Falls dancers into 2017, the
(a) Pricing available during the month printed on the front page of the (d) P roducts in this catalogue should be used only as directed.
catalogue only, unless otherwise stated. Always read the label, and if symptoms persist see your job is left to Childish Gambi-
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(c) Recommended Retail Prices were obtained either direct from the (f) # Incorrect use could be harmful. let down.
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and mark-ups. All savings are based on these prices unless (g) Vitamin supplementation should not replace a balanced diet. Donald Glover is a one-
otherwise indicated by the following: (h) We reserve the right to correct any pricing errors.
man storm of thrashing rap
(i) † Competitor Recommended Retail Prices; (i) ^^ Available in selected stores while stocks last.
(ii) †1 Coles Online Shop Prices; (j) Generic brand available at each pharmacy may vary. and frenzied rhythms and as
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2 January 4, 2017 The Byron Shire Echo Byron Shire Echo archives: www.echo.net.au/byron-echo
Local News
Castle supercharged for Tesla
Eve Jeff ery
With a price tag of close to
$150,000, there is probably
not going to be a rush of Te-
sla’s new Model S vehicles at
Macadamia Castle at Knock-
row, but the technology is in
place and the good news is
the price tag is coming down
at a rate of knots.
Ben Franklin MLC cut
the ribbon for the opening
of Macadamia Castle’s Te-
sla Supercharger Station last
week at Knockrow and there
were free joyrides for journos
in the car which goes from
0km/h to 100km/h in under
four seconds in total silence
(no, we didn’t test that out in Macadamia Castle’s Tony Gilding and Nats Ben Franklin are very excited about the new
the carpark). charging station in Knockrow. Photo Tree Faerie
Th ough there aren’t cur-
rently a lot of the new vehi- Melbourne on electricity ‘Th ese chargers will charge transition from fossil fuels to
cles on the road, Castle owner with each charge giving you a Tesla car very quickly. We renewable energy’, says Ben.
Tony Gilding said that five around 450 kilometres and also have regular chargers for ‘Everyone’s aware of that.
had visited the charging sta- at about a third of the cost of other cars. The government has to be
tion in one day and that when traditional fuel. ‘In the future so many committed to it, but it’s about
the new model comes out Tony sees this new tech- more cars will be electric and the community as well and
with a retail of around $70k, nology as a huge step forward within my lifetime the major- what Tony has done today is
there will defi nitely be a need in climate action. ‘It certainly ity of cars will be electric.’ show that the community is
for the six pumps installed at means a lot initially to the Ben Franklin thinks that committed to this, too, be-
the popular tourist attraction. drivers of Tesla cars who are the new facility is fantastic cause we all have to work
The opening of this fa- the early adopters, who are and absolutely the way of the together to get a future that
cility now means that you the people we do have to en- future. is clean, that is green, that is
can travel from Brisbane to courage’, says Tony. ‘We obviously have to reliable and is aff ordable.’
Stop trashing the coastline, says CSIRO
CSIRO’s marine debris team cox said. ‘While about one a region had originated from in western Tasmania with a
are calling on Australians to million tonnes is out fl oating the local area. large amount of the debris
do the right thing with their in the ocean, the rest ends up ‘Our research shows that found to have been coming
rubbish, with new research on the shore. in most cases, communities from fi shing.’
highlighting the nation’s ocean ‘Apart from looking ugly, are being affected by their More than 600 marine
and coastal pollution issues. it causes signifi cant harm to own rubbish, not the big rub- species have been found eat-
The research, published wildlife with about half of all bish gyre out in the middle ing plastic. As many as 15,000
in Frontiers in Ecology and seabirds and 30 per cent of of the ocean or rubbish from turtles are caught in dumped
the Environment, showed the sea turtles found to have eaten a neighbouring country,’ Dr fi shing gear in northern Aus-
coastline from Brisbane to plastic. We think turtles eat Wilcox said. ‘Th is means that tralia every year, and 8.4 mil-
Melbourne, western coast of plastic bags because they look we are the cause but also the lion tonnes of rubbish lands in
Tasmania and the southern like jellyfi sh in the water and solution. the world’s oceans each year.
part of Western Australia to with seabirds it’s the smell of ‘While up to 40 per cent of Th e Frontiers in Ecology
be the worst hot spots. plastic which takes on a krill- litter found during clean-up and the Environment paper
‘More than eight million like smell in the water.’ activities are beverage con- can be accessed at http://
tonnes of rubbish finds its Th e research showed that tainers, things like discarded bit.ly/mdebris. Th e Ballina-
way into the worlds’ oceans while marine debris was a fishing equipment are also based seabird and turtle 106 STUART ST FAMILY
each year,’ CSIRO principal global issue, a significant common culprits. Our new rescue group is at www. OWNED
MULLUMBIMBY 6684 2511 SINCE 1908
research scientist Chris Wil- amount of the litter found in research shows this is the case seabirdrescue.org.
North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au The Byron Shire Echo January 4, 2017 3
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4 January 4, 2017 The Byron Shire Echo Byron Shire Echo archives: www.echo.net.au/byron-echo
Local News
‘Solar train’ proposed for Byron Bay Angelic sendoff for climate paddler
Plans are in progress to run
a solar-powered train on the
rail line into Byron Bay from
April 2017.
The project is being run
by the Byron Bay Railroad
Company (BBRC), the own-
ers of which also own the
Elements of Byron resort.
BBRC’s original plans to run BBRC train, sans solar panels, at Lithgow in September 2016.
the train carriage on diesel
engines have drawn protests a solar array and charging ronbeachresort.com.au/rail-
from local residents. system at the train storage shuttle/ has further details on
The Echo understands the shed. operation, planning approv-
revamped train will have dual The new website for the als and infrastructure.
electric engines and a bat- train is byronbaytrain.com. The Echo searched for solar-
tery pack taking power from au. It indicates the train will powered trains online and the
curved solar panels on the run from Byron Bay to Sun- only project we found was one
roof. A diesel engine will still rise with a $3 fare each way. in India: http://bit.ly/indisolar.
be available for back-up. The old diesel-powered If readers know of others,
BBRC also intends to have website at http://northby- please let us know.
Council rates eateries with Scores on Doors Guardian Angel Anne souls came out into the sea ‘I thought my journey was
Th ompson waves off kayaker for a kilometre where a gusty over at Paris but it’s not,’ he
Diners in Byron Shire can how seriously they take food Th e rating system of Ex- and environmental activist northerly blew me down to said on his website. ‘If abso-
now see how well local food hygiene and the results they cellent (5 stars), Very Good Steve Posselt from Ballina on Evans Head. lutely everything promised
businesses are complying have achieved by displaying (4 stars) and Good (3 stars), New Years Day on the fi nal ‘The conditions were a at the Climate Summit is
with food hygiene and safety a rating certificate on their all represent various levels leg of his Connecting Cli- great confi dence booster as achieved we might limit glob-
requirements. Byron Shire door,’ said Council’s director of compliance with the Food mate Chaos trip around the it was a bit breezy and there al warming to three degrees.
Council is the latest council of sustainable environment Standards Code. Th e rating world. Mr Posselt intends to were plenty of white caps. ‘Th ree degrees means no
to join the statewide Scores and economy Shannon Burt. includes such things as food deliver thousands of signa- Both sides of the English Arctic or Antarctic ice, no
on Doors program, which ‘If you see a restaurant dis- temperature control, food tures to Canberra politicians Channel and Chesapeake Bay glaciers and very likely no hu-
aims to improve food safety playing the purple and green prepared in advance of ser- on his climate emergency pe- had shown me far worse.’ mans. Th is is real, happening
standards and to reduce the poster you can dine there safe vice, food-handler hygiene, tition http://climateemergen- Mr Posselt will paddle at present and for people un-
instance of food-borne illness in the knowledge it has met cleaning and sanitisation, and cydeclaration.org/sign. 1,200km to Moruya on the der 20 now the eff ects could
in the retail food industry. minimum hygiene and food pest control. On his website http:// NSW south coast and then be catastrophic, not just the
‘Scores on Doors offers safety standards during the See more: www.byron.nsw. kayak4earth.com Mr Posselt drag his canoe Old Yella in- wild weather we are experi-
businesses a fantastic oppor- last food inspection and if it’s gov.au or www.foodauthority. noted: ‘A small fl otilla came land to the nation’s capital, a encing with just one degree
tunity to show customers just not displaying one, ask why. nsw.gov.au/scoresondoors. down the river to the rescue distance of about 175km via of warming.’
tower and a couple of hardy the Kings Highway. Photo Sue Vader
Govt gathers input on planning agreements
BOTTLESHOP NSW Planning & Environ- arising from the VPA that re- councils were holding devel-
ment is gathering feedback lates to the development; the opers to ransom in relation
on voluntary planning agree- VPA negotiation process is to VPAs. LGNSW president
ments (VPA) made between fair and reasonable between Keith Rhoades said moves to
developers and planning au- parties, and is transparent increase the transparency of
Coopers
thorities such as local coun- to the broader community; the negotiation process were
Carlton Dry Mild cils. Under a VPA a developer and the identifi cation of in- welcomed but it was ‘disap-
$43 $36 agrees to fund public ameni- frastructure in a VPA is in- pointing to see the planning
ties such as transport or af- formed by an assessment of minister’s media release adopt
fordable housing. local community needs’. the hysterical rhetoric of the
The government says its In early November 2016 wealthy development lobby’.
aim is to ‘encourage councils the peak body of local gov- Submissions on the VPA
and developers to work to- ernment Local Government review process can be made
NZ Pure gether to get the best possible NSW (LGNSW lgnsw.org. until January 27. Details are
Treehouse Cider
6pk $13 outcomes out of VPAs so that au) rebutted claims by plan- online at planning.nsw.gov.
4pks $15 there’s a clear public benefi t ning minister Rob Stokes that au/proposals.
Ctn $40
Kirin
Ninth Island Vodka O
6pk $15
Pinot Noir $36
Ctn $45
$18
Over 350 beers and Ciders in stock
Specials from 4/1/17 – 10/1/17
HOTEL GREAT NORTHERN 6685 6454 | the northern.com.au
North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au The Byron Shire Echo January 4, 2017 5
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Specials available Wednesday 4/1/17 – Wednesday 11/1/17 or on days specifi ed. Limits may apply. We reserve the right to correct printing errors.
6 January 4, 2017 The Byron Shire Echo Byron Shire Echo archives: www.echo.net.au/byron-echo
Local News
Dynamic local duo play the Goat
Mullumbimby creative duo ‘In particular, plant-dye-
Potts and Anne Leon are ing, where I use roots, leaves
staging a joint exhibition A and fl owers imprinted onto
Matter Of Balance at the paper and cloth, to create
Lone Goat Gallery in the By- a delicate but defi ned “eco-
ron Bay library building. Th e print”, formed by cooking
exhibition opens on Friday the plant materials into the
January 6, 6pm–8pm and is substrates. Th e dyeing oft en
described as ‘a provocative in- forms the fi rst layer, to which
sight into the natural balance I add screen-prints, etchings
between habitat, humans, or drawings.’
plants, animals, the ocean, For Potts, ‘Whether print-
and the balance required in making, painting or collage,
surfi ng’. I am constantly fl uctuating
‘Employing different ap- between genres and tech-
proaches to the same theme, niques to express my vision.
Anne and Potts found their Th e beauty of the trees in-
work crossing over, which spires me to paint, the texture
gave rise to some unique col- of the ocean lends itself to
laborative pieces that capture silkscreen printing and col-
the imagination and sing lage, while Australia’s wild-
with form and colour.’ fl owers just come alive when
Anne says, ‘Th is show has Potts’s painting, Second Skin. translated to scraperboard,
been a journey of discovery enlarged, hand coloured and
and wonders found, photo- and bushland. My focus has and techniques that help to printed.’
graphed, or picked up in eve- been on interpreting the nat- demonstrate the tenuous bal- See more at facebook.
ryday walks along the beach ural world, through materials ance of nature. com/AnneLeonDesigns.
Ideas sought for Mullum drinking fountain  Locally Owned
Family Business
An old water tap and barbe- tive functional drinking foun- Park. Th e fi rst major piece, Su- com.au. Note also ‘Evolving
cue in Palm Park on Brun- tain. It is part of an ongoing vira McDonald’s Enter Here, Public Art in Mullumbimby’ Cnr Brigantine & Wollongbar Sts,
swick Terrace, Mullumbimby, project by local group Creative was installed in 2016. on Saturday March 4 and a
Byron Arts & Industry Estate
are in bad need of renovation. Mullumbimby (creativemul- You can learn more, and public art appreciation course
A budget of $60,00 is available lum.org.au) to create a sculp- register interest in the drink- on March 6 at the Byron • 6685 5212 • bedsrus.com.au
to fabricate the best idea on ture walk along the bike and ing fountain contest, by go- Community College Mullum
PHOTOS FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY
how to turn it into an attrac- walking track through Palm ing to mullumsculpturewalk. campus.
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BYRON BAY CAMPUS. THURS 19 JAN. 4:00PM - 7:00PM.
North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au The Byron Shire Echo January 4, 2017 7
Local News
North Coast news daily: netdaily
.net.au
Woodford: celebrating people without suits Turbo chook
Turbo chook is the Oxford
Story & image S Sorrensen It’s good to be diff erent. It’s I will never wear a suit University Press Word of
healthy. It’s human. and tie. Never. Th is ugly, con- the Month for January (two
Woodford. Tuesday, 4.10pm As I watch a man with stricting, ridiculous attire is words really). It is a jocular
Humans are a diverse lot. a badly sunburnt face and the uniform of social misfi ts name for the Tasmanian na-
As I wander the Woodford shoulders (muscle shirt) who are eating away at the tive hen, Tribonyx mortierii.
Folk Festival in rare comfort check out the hat stall for human world of colour and According to OUP, ‘The
(the summer heat mitigated some much-needed pro- diff erence. Th ese lookalikes Tasmanian native hen is a
by a cool threat of rain), that tection, I am aware anyone are murderers and planet de- fl ightless moorhen endemic
diversity is on show. I fi nd it can make a bad call – that’s stroyers. Th e suit and tie is to the island of Tasmania. Al-
refreshing. human – but the critical ail- how you recognise them. though it is unrelated to the
If you want to tattoo the ments of our planet have not If, by some chance you’re domestic hen, it was named a
outside of your neck with a been caused by stiltwalk- wearing a suit and tie now, ‘native hen’ by the early Euro-
picture of the inside of your ers with shaved heads or but you are a decent person pean settlers, who applied the
neck, go for it. I mean, it’s not steampunkers with goggles – take it off . Now. For your epithet ‘native’ to many Aus-
the sort of thing I’d do, but or even sunburnt men with ity that upsizes profi t, down- mean-spiritedness, this de- own sake. tralian indigenous animals…’
there’s much I wouldn’t do. melanomic fashion sense; the sizes diff erence and capsizes viousness, must come from We are suff ocating in the ‘In 1924 a scientifi c work
Like riding a unicycle dressed world’s crises are created by boats. Uniformity is the hall- the nature of the suit itself, claustrophobia of increasing gave this description of the
only in pink tights with a tail. men in suits and ties – men mark of the new inhuman I reckon. It is not a fl owing homogeneity. Noncomform- Tasmanian native hen: “Runs
Or squeeze my body through who look like each other de- world, a corporate world, a garment which gracefully ac- ity is seen by the Suited Ones exceeding fast, and many
a tennis racquet by dislocat- spite the genetic and histori- bankrupt world. commodates natural human as cause for ridicule, discrim- native dogs cannot catch
ing my shoulders. (Even if I cal variety of their diff erent No-one on a unicycle has movement. It is a straightjack- ination, isolation, detention, a native hen even in open
could dislocate my shoulders societies. ever destroyed a river system et which conditions its user turning the boat back and country.” (Lord & Scott, A
it would have to be one hell of Th ese men strive for a so- in a quest for corporate profi t. to straightness, any deviation even death. Synopsis of the Vertebrate
a big racquet.) cial and individual uniform- People in leaky boats are into bentness resulting in ugly Th e Suited Ones produce Animals of Tasmania, 1924).
not turned back at the beach creases, restricted movement, nothing except pollution and ‘Although usage is largely
MIGRATION ASSISTANCE
by a man in a tutu and Blund- no job and no girl. platitudes and live high on confi ned to Tasmania where
stones. And those people in Add a string around your the exploited hog. People the bird is found, its appear-
Would you like to live or work those boats are not seeking neck, and you belong to the without suits are doing the ance in the title of a popu-
refuge because their homes, club of conformity, a silly vic- real work, or are in prison, lar 2013 children’s picture
in Australia?
their towns, their society had tim of a fake promise. in debt, in bomb shelters, or book, Sonia Strong’s Tazzie
LINDSAY WOOTTEN been blown to bits by a bare- Th e sunburnt man chooses here at the festival. the Turbo Chook Finds Her
foot woman with a feather a stylish straw hat. But it has a The skeleton of a ptero- Feet, indicates that the term
Solicitor MARN 0213118 through her nose and rain- brim which is so small the hat dactyl is nibbling at my feet. may become more generally
Your local migration consultant for bow butterfl y wings. looks like a straw beanie. He Oh, Woodford. Th anks. known in Australian English.
assistance with all migration and visa matters. Truly inhuman acts are the pays the stallholder and puts ‘Turbo chook will be con-
Phone [phone] or 0427 210993 products of barely-humans his new hat on. His happy (cid:81) See more of S’s work at sidered for inclusion in the
working for unhuman forces. face is still fully exposed to next edition of the Australian
email: [email protected]
Th ey wear suits and ties. Th is the sun, but he’s happy. echo.net.au/here-and-now National Dictionary.’
Funding our future
Have your say by 18 January
Byron Shire Council has resolved to notify the In- Proposed Options What have we been doing to improve our financial
dependent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) sustainability?
Three proposed SRV options were presented to the Byron Shire
of our intent to apply for a Special Rate Variation
community during October and November 2016. The feedback Through our (cid:39)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:66)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:66)(cid:67)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:49)(cid:77)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:13) we have:
(SRV) in 2017. The increase amount will not be
on the options was collated and presented at the 15 December, 1. Saved $millions through operating efficiencies and restructuring.
decided until February 2017. Council meeting. 2. Raised new revenue of $2M per year through pay parking.
3. Rationalised and developed Council’s property portfolio.
As part of the process, Council’s revised Integrated Planning
Option 1 - 7.5% Deteriorate (including rate peg) 4. Saved $300K per year through smarter procurement.
and Reporting documents are now on public exhibition until
5. Refinanced loans and paid down debt.
18 January. They include: (cid:116)(cid:1) Additional $10.78million over four years.
6. Slashed Council’s legal costs.
(cid:116)(cid:1) Combined with proposed loan borrowings of $6million over
(cid:116)(cid:1) (cid:51)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:37)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:71)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:37)(cid:70)(cid:77)(cid:74)(cid:87)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:49)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:78)(cid:1)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:18)(cid:21)(cid:14)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:18)(cid:24) three years, Council will have a total funding pool of 7. Invested in infrastructure renewal through the creation of a new
(cid:116)(cid:1) (cid:37)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:71)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:85)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:1)(cid:34)(cid:84)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:46)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:66)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:49)(cid:77)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:9)(cid:40)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:39)(cid:86)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:10) $16.78million over four years to allocate towards asset Infrastructure Fund.
(cid:116)(cid:1) (cid:37)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:71)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:45)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:1)(cid:53)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:78)(cid:1)(cid:39)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:49)(cid:77)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:18)(cid:23)(cid:14)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:19)(cid:23) renewal and maintenance.
As at 30 June 2016, the cumulative outcomes of the Financial Sustaina-
The above documents bring together Council’s various strategies, (cid:116)(cid:1) Over 4 year period, this reflects a 33.5% cumulative rate
bility Plan have yielded $4.366million in current and future savings. The
plans and budgets to provide services, infrastructure and ensure increase on general rates (ordinary land rate) - excludes
outcomes of the (cid:39)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:66)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:66)(cid:67)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:49)(cid:77)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:1)are included in the ‘Base
future sustainability. water, waste and sewer.
Case’ of Council’s (cid:37)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:71)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:45)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:1)(cid:53)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:78)(cid:1)(cid:39)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:49)(cid:77)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:15)
A SRV is part of our (cid:39)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:39)(cid:86)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:13)(cid:1)(cid:36)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:42)(cid:78)(cid:81)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:87)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:1)
Option 2 - 10% Maintain (including rate peg) What happens next?
(cid:49)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:78). Without a SRV, Council’s ‘Base Case’, as detailed within
the (cid:37)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:71)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:85)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:1)(cid:34)(cid:84)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:46)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:66)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:49)(cid:77)(cid:66)(cid:79) and the (cid:37)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:71)(cid:85)(cid:1) (cid:116)(cid:1) Additional $16.47million over four years. You have until Wednesday, 18 January to provide your feedback.
(cid:45)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:1)(cid:53)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:78)(cid:1)(cid:39)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:49)(cid:77)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:13) demonstrates that Council will not be (cid:116)(cid:1) Combined with proposed loan borrowings of $6million over Feedback from the community will be reported to Council in
financially sustainable and the condition of assets will continue to three years, Council will have a total funding pool of
early February 2017 and help determine what Special Rate
$22.47million over four years to allocate towards asset
significantly decline and fail.
renewal and maintenance. Variation option will be submitted to the Independent Pricing
(cid:116)(cid:1) Over 4 year period, this reflects a 46.4% cumulative rate and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for approval. If successful, the
Base Case - Rate peg only (no additional rate increase)
increase on general rates (ordinary land rate) - excludes increased general rate will come into effect from 1 July, 2017.
(cid:116)(cid:1) No increase above the rate peg (in early December 2016, water, waste and sewer.
You can find out more at www.byron.nsw.gov.au/funding-our-
IPART set the rate peg at 1.5%).
(cid:116)(cid:1) Required expenditure will significantly exceed the current Option 3 - 12.5% Improve (including rate peg) future. Feedback on the amended IP&R documents, and the
budget allocation. (cid:116)(cid:1) Additional $22.45million over four years. inclusion of the Special Rate Variation options, can be emailed to
(cid:116)(cid:1) Increased significant failure of high risk assets that will not (cid:116)(cid:1) Combined with proposed loan borrowings of $6million over [email protected]
be fixed immediately; this will include potential bridges, three years, Council will have a total funding pool of
or post to: The General Manager
roads and building closures. $28.45million over four years to allocate towards asset
Byron Shire Council
(cid:116)(cid:1) Based on the rate peg of 1.5% for 2017/18, plus an renewal and maintenance.
estimated rate peg of 2.5% each year for three years; (cid:116)(cid:1) Over 4 year period, this reflects a 60.2% cumulative rate PO Box 219
the cumulative rate increase is 9.3% on general rates increase on general rates (ordinary land rate) - excludes Mullumbimby NSW 2482
(ordinary land rate) - excludes water, waste and sewer. water, waste and sewer. For further information, phone [phone].
www.byron.nsw.gov.au/funding-our-future

8 January 4, 2017 The Byron Shire Echo Byron Shire Echo archives: www.echo.net.au/byron-echo
Local News
Solar feed-in tariff s jump as
DENTAL
DISEASE
Byron’s Enova ruffl es big boys IS
PAINFUL
Giles Parkinson MyVet Byron Bay
6685 6899
Finally, some good news for
MyVet Billinudgel
solar households. Aft er years
6680 3480
of being wound back to the FREE
price of coal, solar feed-in DENTAL CHECKS myvetoz.com.au
tariff s are moving up again –
at least in some areas – driven Bangalow Herbal
by competition by newly es-
Natural Health Clinic
tablished retailers challeng-
ing the incumbent big three. - Naturopath / Herbalist
Byron-based Enova Ener- - Private Consultations
gy is to lift its solar feed in tar- - Herbal Dispensary
- Massage Therapy Wisdom
iff to 12c/kWh from January
1, up from 10c/kWh – agree-
Over the counter
ing to pay more than double
naturopathic advice
the ‘recommended’ tariff in a
Photo Yuval Y fl ickr.com/photos/yuval_y
state that does not mandate 146,000 households moving 64 Byron St, Bangalow
ph: 6687 0457
a minimum. The tariff will ‘But also let’s hope that likely to quickly transform off their premium ‘gross’ tar-
herbalwisdom.com.au
be available to customers on customers recognise where to one where half of all en- iff s of 60c/kWh or 20c/kWh.
Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5, Sun 10-4
the Essential Energy network this started and continue to ergy demand is met by locally Another 60,000 to 80,000
(which is most of New South support us in our endeavours sourced generation, and roof- households in Victoria and
Wales) and will be welcome to speed up the switch from top and community-owned South Australia are also mov-
news to the 146,000 house- fossil fuels to renewable ener- solar and battery storage will ing off tariff s.
holds about to lose their pre- gy. If governments are not go- play a key role. In NSW, the recommend-
mium feed in tariff s. ing to do anything to support ed (but not compulsory) tariff
Th e right thing COME & STOCK
renewables then it is up to the is between 5c and 6c/kWh,
Community fi rst
community to take over, and ‘We would like to own about the same price as a YOUR PANTRY THIS
Th e newly launched Eno- our role is to make it easier that space,’ Harris says, ‘as a coal-fi red generator gets on
va – which builds its business and fairer by empowering the community-owned retailer average. Th e fact that rooft op NEW YEAR!
model around a communi- community to take action.’ trying to do the right thing solar is not credited for its
ty-owned, community-fi rst, and encourage people to take environmental, climate and
Fly-speck
BYRON BAY & MULLUMBIMBY
renewable-energy-focused up solar. network benefi ts has been a
www.thesourcebulkfoods.com.au
strategy, is clearly ruffl ing the Enova, which earlier ‘We have found a niche in sore point in the industry.
big boys, particularly Origin this year raised $4 million the market, we are looking Recently, the Victorian
Energy, the previous domi- to begin operations, and fi - at what communities want to pricing regulator recom-
nant force in the northern nally opened its doors a few do about energy and we are mended adding in a climate
rivers. months ago, has so far signed looking at renewable energy benefi t but said it could iden-
Origin has already imitat- up 1,300 customers, round We are looking at what com- tify no other environmental
ed Enova’s previous 10c/kWh 60 per cent of whom have munities want, not what large benefi ts.
solar FiT and its discount rooft op solar. Th at’s barely a energy companies want. Our On networks, despite the
for on-time payments. And fl y-speck for the big retailers masters are our customers. fact that solar has been shown
Enova CEO Steve Harris says who each boast customers of ‘We also have responsibil- to shift and narrow peak de-
while imitation is fl attery, it is around 3 million, and ‘churn’ ity to our shareholders, but mand quite dramatically in
also good for the consumer. several hundred thousand being a social enterprise adds some states, pricing regula-
Which is why Enova has re- customers each year. another angle to it. If we can- tors are focused on protect-
sponded with an even higher But there is something not respond to what commu- ing network investment, and
tariff . about Enova, and its com- nity wants, what is the point therefore will only allocate a
‘It just goes to show that munity focus, that is making of existing? Th ere are already credit for solar for avoiding
even though we are tiny in the big retailers nervous, par- 20 retailers out there; we don’t future network spending. It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions
the overall scale of things we ticularly in a time when new need another one doing ex-
in favour of vegetarianism while the wolf
obviously register on their ra- technologies such as solar actly the same thing.’ (cid:81) First published in www.
dar,’ says Harris. ‘It also shows and battery storage are wit- Solar feed-in tariff s in New reneweconomy.com.au, of remains of a diff erent opinion.
we have achieved something nessing major cost falls and South Wales are about to be- which Giles Parkinson is the – William Ralph Inge
for the majority of NSW so- concepts such as sharing en- come a major issue with some editor.
lar customers. Had we not ergy and peer-to-peer trading
had a much higher and fairer are emerging. BANGALOW, BYRON BAY
FiT, then I suspect the others This could redefine and IT’S YOUR TIME
would have stayed with their restructure the electricity
lower rates. Let’s hope all re- industry. Instead of relying TO SHINE!
tailers follow suit and do the only on centralised, fossil-
right thing by their customers. fuel generation, the grid is
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nurturing dancers inspiring dreams
With Integrity & Light
North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au The Byron Shire Echo January 4, 2017 9
Comment
North Coast news daily: netdaily
.net.au
Malcolm searches for love, any love
M
alcolm Turnbull’s establishment and the consen- And speaking of China, the fervent belief that all will be
Christmas message sus that somehow the centre which we would much rather well, and if it isn’t, then some-
was on the wonder must prevail. not, a military confrontation thing will turn up. Aft er all, we
Volume 31 #30 January 4, 2017 of unconditional love – and But these were not the over the South China Sea, or, are the lucky country: Turnbull
boy, does he need some. headwinds to which Turnbull far worse, Taiwan, has been repeatedly tells us that we are
Even conditional love referred in another little ser- fi rmly on Trump’s agenda. It the envy of the world. But even
2017: Enter the rooster
would do – love with plenty of mon, this time on New Years should be a matter of urgency if that is true it is hardly reas-
strings attached. But at present Day. Th e worries he wanted the for the Australian government suring. Being an object of envy
it appears he has the tangle, but voters to keep in mind were to at least acknowledge that ter- is not the safest place to be in a
This is an early heads-up for the Chinese New Year, which
not the aff ection – only grudg- not domestic – or at least not rible possibility, and to attempt restive and increasingly unpre-
kicks off on January 28. It’s the year of the Red Fire Rooster.
ing acceptance, if even that. intra-party, which is where the to prepare a plan B; the mantra dictable global environment.
Astrology Club, well-known source of all things scientifi c,
The recalcitrant right is, headlines have been. And he that an unbreakable military And so we wait, with little
declares, ‘Following 12 months of the… hyperactive Monkey,
if anything, more antagonis- refused to be specific about alliance with Washington can conviction, for our glorious
the New Year of the Fire Rooster is going to bring fresh chal-
tic than ever as the season of where the headwinds were accommodate friendly and leader to reveal the blueprint
lenges requiring quick wit and practical solutions!’
peace and goodwill drags on. coming from; all he would re- profi table commercial ties with for 2017: the challenges and
That’s pretty much a given. There will be a big old red Eric Abetz, Cory Bernardi. veal is that there could be a few Beijing is hardly a given in the the promises he has foreshad-
rooster in the White House for starters – even though he was George Christensen and pack surprises. age of Trump. owed in his chat outside his
born in the Year of the Fire Dog, noted for being determined are baying louder than ever, harbourside mansion. Th e fear
and sexually attractive (ahem). and Tony Abbott, with the Beyond the bounds of the – the likelihood – is that they
Could it be worse than 2016? It’s possible. We all know 2016 kind of chutzpah only he can will be more of the same: jobs,
was a shit year for popular famous people dying, rounded off muster, is producing homilies party room, the barbarians growth, innovation and agility,
in the last days with Carrie Fisher, George Michael and Richard about the pressing need for the same trite slogans perhaps
are on the march.
Adams, author of Watership Down, a good book but not up Turnbull to unite the party. rejigged in a shinier spin. But
there with fellow Adams Douglas’s Hitchhiker’s Guide to the And of course beyond the we deserve better than that,
by Mungo MacCallum
Galaxy. He died way too young in 2001. That ancient evil sac bounds of the party room, the and there are times when we
barbarians are on the march. have been off ered it.
of poison Henry Kissinger is still alive, however, so we have to
Pauline Hanson is striding But our prime minister is But Turnbull has shown no Last weekend’s release of the
carry his toxins into the new year.
across the wilds of Queensland, being far too coy. As he and visible signs of movement. He 1992–93 cabinet documents re-
Roosters may not be as big a problem as the elephant in
with Bob Katter and the Shoot- every serious observer knows, has, of course, performed the minds us of what serious gov-
the room: global warming. The big fat elephant that govern-
ers, Fishers and Farmers, not to the immediate threat is coming obligatory rituals of obeisance ernment could be about. In the
ments make promises about but fail to move on rapidly.
mention the ever-threatening from the east: a cloud no bigger to the incoming president, with wake of the High Court’s Mabo
In 2017 expect more Arctic sea ice to melt. According to the
troops of Bernardi’s Conserva- than a dyed orange coiff ure has the fervent hope – and it is no decision, Paul Keating em-
Arctic Methane Emergency Group (AMEG ameg.me), the 2016
tives, picking up whatever appeared across the Pacifi c and more than that – that decades barked on a passionate, brave
Arctic winter warming has now resulted in the region being a
scraps of loot they can find. Trumpery is, for the moment of slavish obedience to Wash- and determined plan to secure
CO2 emitter rather than an absorber. And as the name AMEG
Th e nightmare for Turnbull is at least, regarded as if not en- ington will be suffi cient to se- native title. He was opposed
would suggest, the continued melting of ice and the release that they somehow unite in an tirely respectable, at least the cure the blessings of Australia fiercely by many powerful
of methane hydrates from Arctic Ocean sediments could lead axis of evil to not only pillage new reality. And no-one, most from the Donald. But there forces, including some within
to runaway warming, making the goals of the Paris climate the rural and regional Nation- of all Turnbull, has the slightest are no guarantees of that: the his own government, but he
agreement (http://bit.ly/unparis) of April 2016 look incredibly als, but also march into the cit- idea of how to deal with it. only expressions of uncondi- never wavered in his convic-
feeble. adels of the Liberal heartland. To be fair, he is hardly the tional love the president-elect tion that upholding Mabo and
The bid of the 350.org group to freeze all new fossil-fuel Th e possibility is remote; the only one: the general view ap- has evinced are those for Rus- the wider consequences that
development is obviously not being heeded by our antedi- aspiring leaders are all megalo- pears to be that the way to go is sia’s Vladimir Putin and Isra- followed it was both necessary
luvian federal government, which intends to fl ing $1 billion maniacs and would start ripping to cross your fi ngers and hope el’s Benjamin Netanyahu, two and right. And eventually, aft er
Adani’s way so the Indian polluter can build a rail link from its each other apart in seconds, as for the best, however unlikely similarly belligerent and un- many weeks of tortuous nego-
the renewed example of One that outcome might be. Th at pleasant leaders who are more tiation, he won.
approved Carmichael mine to the Great Barrier Reef.
Nation has already demonstrat- is certainly what the world’s fi - prone to escalation of tensions, Like other great reforming
The destructive swathe cut through Mother Nature by the
ed, and even last week Abbott nancial institutions are doing: not to mention expansion of leaders, his career was all too
fossil-fuel dinosaurs has led to talk of rebellion on the scale
of the Alliance in the interminable space opera Star Wars. and Bernardi engaged in an un- they are optimistically bullish their borders, than harbingers brief; a couple of years later
dignifi ed spat over who was re- about Trump’s promises of tax of the peace and goodwill for the electorate wanted someone
Whether the aggrieved legion of keyboard warriors takes to
ally calling the shots. But even a cuts and infrastructure spend- which Turnbull yearns. they believed would be more
the streets in 2017 or even does useful things such as recycle
brief alliance under the banner ing, but prefer to remain in de- So in Australia at least we relaxed and comfortable. But
or add solar panels to rooftops remains to be seen.
of whichever clay-footed idol nial about his threats to set up are starting the new year in the when Paul Keating was defeat-
But wait, there’s more. China, the boss rooster, will be
emerged would be enough to a new regime of protectionism, same way we fi nished the old ed, he died on his feet. Mal-
strutting its stuff in 2017. Unencumbered by an inconvenient
wreak serious damage on what let alone the prospect of a trade one: unprepared, indecisive, colm Turnbull is struggling to
democracy, the massive nation which ruled the world’s trade is left of the Australian political war with China. slightly scared and insecure in survive on his knees.
lanes for 700 years (http://bit.ly/chinaroad) is making a come-
back. The new Silk Road is being built on land and on the sea.
The fi rst train of the ambitious ‘One Belt, One Road’ scheme
ran from Zhejiang province to Tehran in February 2016.
Europe is next and southeast Asia is fi rmly in China’s sights,
so hang onto your hats. Guònián hao!
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10 January 4, 2017 The Byron Shire Echo Byron Shire Echo archives: www.echo.net.au/byron-echo