26.5 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Development dreams

Latest News

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.

Other News

UK court seeks assurances from US over Julian Assange

The UK High Court of Justice has released a 66 page judgement seeking more information from the United States relating to Australian citizen Julian Assange, which it says it needs before deciding whether to grant the WikiLeaks founder leave to appeal his extradition.

Bruns-Billinudgel RSL marches on

Though recently the membership of the Brunswick Heads–Billinudgel RSL sub-Branch has grown, the numbers are still very low and if there is not a continual increase, this chapter faces closing.

Workshop in Creative Writing For Beginners

Have you always felt like you have a novel in you, but don’t know where to start? Or have...

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.

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.

Richmond Valley Rail Trail grand opening

The latest leg of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail opened in style on Saturday, with hundreds of two-wheeled travel enthusiasts spinning along the newly opened 13.4 kilometre section from Casino to Bentley.

Jo Faith, Newtown

At the last council meeting community members raised concerns regarding the reclassification of Byron’s Railway Park’s status to ‘General Community Use’. This proposed status is important to Council as it allows possibility for development (in time) and ‘reduces noise’. 

This proposed definition also reduces the ability of citizens to meet and voice opposition to neo-con economic agendas and proposed development (in the future). That is what ‘peaceful use’ seems to mean. A means to quell any inclusive democratic community opposition to Council and crony demands for ongoing development.

The Park has had Artisan Markets for some time and this commercialism has not created any great community concern and as a special event would seem allowable under the current Park status. At the meeting a speaker expressed deep concern about the seeming justification for more commercial development and laying of cement.

These markets and the potential for other future ‘commercial activities’ create a mechanism of ‘soft surveillance’. Supporting wedge politics an example was offered of a sleeping homeless man who seemed to carry the projected mythological demonology of the bogey man that lurks in Parks to terrify citizens and little children. Commercialism as an actor of ‘soft surveillance’ would get rid of the local problem of homelessness. No equity policy seems to exist in Council and all focus goes to developers.

There has been growing moral panic about the need to get rid of the ‘Hippies’ and now, very obviously the ‘Homeless’. Also certain critics object to the ‘Dirty-ness’ which also seems to be associated with the latter human categorisations. Does that justify all of the cement now being placed in the Park?  No empirical evidence was offered of incidents that justified this moral panic just personal/political prejudice supported justification for the re-classification, and no doubt future development in the space.

A question was asked as to whether the Arakwal people have been involved in the process of reclassification.  We were assured they were.  When asked what their position was this question revealed confusion.

Submissions against reclassification were submitted and the voice of opposition from the Byron Environment Centre (BEC) has been an ongoing critic of the masterplan non-democratic process.  Only recently have minutes of the masterplan team been placed on Facebook. The masterplan group have been operative for several years.


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

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.