21.5 C
Byron Shire
March 27, 2024

‘The appetite for development still lingers’

Latest News

Splendour 2024 cancelled

It's offical, Splendour in the Grass 2024 has been cancelled.

Other News

Got a creative theatre idea?

Mullumbimby’s The Drill Hall Theatre Company (DHTC) is offering two creative development opportunities for local independent artists to develop new performance piece concepts.

Breakfeast, Bluesfest weekend

Victoria Cosford Oh to be a cow with a four-chambered stomach system! Farmers’ market, Bluesfest long weekend, a spot of...

Terania blockade film to support Wallum cause

A film about Australia’s first environmental confrontation, which occured at Terania Creek near Nimbin, will screen on Friday, 22 March from 7pm at Brunswick Picture House as a fundraiser for the Save Wallum campaign. 

Roller derby rocks the Cavanbah Centre

The Red Kennedys have once again dominated the Northern Rivers Revolt Roller Derby Tournament held at the Cavanbah Centre over the weekend of March 16-17.

Big week in Byron Bay for adaptive surfers

Australia’s first-ever international adaptive surfing contest held in Byron Bay last week was an overwhelming success according to organiser Mark ‘mono’ Stewart.

‘Smooth stroking’ Rainbow Dragons earn trophies

Rainbow Dragons (Lennox Head Ballina) won three trophies and had a fantastic weekend of fun, fitness and friendship at Grafton Dragon Boat Club’s regatta earlier in March.

Ron Cooper, Kingscliff,

Jan Barham, Lindy Smith, let’s get one thing straight.  I know of no person and no group opposing the Lot 490 Aboriginal Land Claim.  It is the State Government that seems to have come up with a scheme to block it.

Soon after the Land Claim was lodged, the Government secretly moved Lot 490 from the Crown Land Register to the Government Property Register.  As a result it may no longer be claimable.

With a backlog of 28,000 Land Claims, the community won’t be happy to allow Lot 490 to be used for garbage dumping, arson, illegal camping and other unlawful activities for the next 10 or 20 years.    If, however, the State Government believes it has successfully undermined the Land Claim it will, with a wink and a nod to developer mates, move the Lot 490 decision to the top of the list.  After all, this land can now be sold in freehold – a much more attractive deal for developers.  A State Government for the people will then look more like a soulless corporate rent-seeker.

Should the Land Claim succeed, then Lot 490 will transfer to the Land Council with a zoning that will allow a resort development.  Back in the early 2000’s the Land Council negotiated for a golf resort on their land at Fingal.  This was narrowly defeated by Land Council members in 2005.  The next year the Chairperson of the Land Council confirmed a proposal to develop 200 residential blocks.  This faltered because of environmental constraints.  I’ve been told that some Land Council members don’t want Lot 490 to be given a protective zoning or made a Regional Park.  This leads me to believe that the appetite for development still lingers.  Right now a majority of current Land Council members may not want development for Lot 490.  Ten years down the track the balance could be different.

It’s hard to believe that the Greens are not supporting the protection of Lot 490.  It’s a known feeding site for the endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo and a refuge for wallabies fleeing the development to the south.  A Regional Park under the management of N.S.W. National Park and Wildlife Service will ensure that the public park component will be compatible with an enhanced wildlife corridor. It will ensure that Lot 490 is managed for the good of people and the environment.

If, due to some political deal, the Greens are going to selectively commit to environmental protection, and if the result is yet another resort on Lot 490, they have lost this old Greens voter who may be joined by others in registering their protest via the ballot box.

 


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

We just love him!

If you’re over 50 you might not be a fan of Tom Jones, but you can bet your mum is. If you’re under 40 you might not even know who he is, but your grandmother probably wet her pants at the mere mention of his name.

Peter Garrett gives Bluesfest the nod

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit. 

Save Wallum finalist in NSW 2024 environment awards

The Save Wallum campaign has been named as a finalist in the Nature Conservation Council of NSW Environment Awards 2024. The award ceremony will be held in Sydney tonight, and Save Wallum spokesperson and ecologist James Barrie will be attending with Tegan Kitt, another founding member of the group.

New report highlights gaps in rural and remote health

The second annual Royal Flying Doctor Service ‘Best for the Bush, Rural and remote Health Base Line’ report has just been released. Presenting the latest data on the health of rural and remote Australians and evidence on service gaps, it identifies issues in urgent need of attention from service providers, funders, partners and policy makers.