22.1 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Mining twists

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

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.

Fresh air federal funds for Northern Rivers schools in need

Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week.

Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

Plans to build Byron Shire’s first permanent group home for women and children in housing stress are moving ahead, with the development application for the project coming before Council this week.

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

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

Floodplains

We need a serious talk about development on floodplains with more creativity and sophistication. The recent discussion about development...

Democracy on the ropes?

The ancient idea of democracy is under threat around the world. Today, there are only 63 democracies compared to 74 autocracies, and many of these democracies are highly problematic.

Mining twists

The unanimous support of the Tweed Shire councillors for the planning proposal to remove the enabling clause for water bottling from our Local Environment Plan (LEP) is to be commended.

However, the initial recommendation for approval, at the previous meeting, was stopped in its tracks by a letter from the Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer (CS&E) just 25 minutes before the meeting.

On review of the letter and the Tweed Council staff report to councillors the Chief Scientist’s letter is simply bizarre and makes no sense. The staff report to councillors provided a very fair and reasonable overview (pros/cons) on the findings of the CS&E review of the impacts of the bottle water industry on groundwater resources in the Tweed Shire. Also it had satisfied the conditions issued under the Gateway Determination.

The issuing of the CS&E letter at the last tick of the clock smacks of political interference.

Contrary to what some may claim there is no escaping the findings of the CS&E’s review of the impacts of the bottled water industry on groundwater resources. The Tweed’s groundwater systems are complex and there is a lack of data and analysis of local hydro-geology, therefore the impacts of groundwater extraction are difficult to measure or understand at this point.

Thus, the importance of the precautionary principle being applied in this case when the science is not yet in. Longer version on Echonetdaily: www.echo.net.au.

Lindy Smith

Tweed Heads


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.