23.2 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Time to worry about the shit in Belongil Estuary

Latest News

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

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

Other News

Splendour 2024 cancelled

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

Mullum pods

They look so uninviting and dismal. It would not cost a lot to change the name to ‘tiny homes’...

Dynamic, rustic yet polished

Animal Ventura is the brainchild of Byron Bay-based singer-songwriter Fernando Aragones. Growing up playing punk and reggae in noisy garage bands in Southern Brazil, Aragones ventured to Australia where the eclectic sounds of the Sydney music scene beckoned.

NORPA’s wild ride at Lismore Showgrounds

NORPA is taking audiences on an adventure outside the theatre once again, announcing it will stage its original work Wildskin in a warehouse space at the Lismore Showgrounds. A sensory, destination theatre experience, Wildskin inhabits an outrageous and unpredictable world that’s part bush-thriller, part road-trip and a whole lot of NORPA’s signature theatrical style.

The Picture House is turning 8

It feels like we were only just ringing in the new year days ago and here we are approaching Easter weekend at The Brunswick Picture House. It’s already been a whirlwind start to 2024 with their biggest and busiest program so far, bringing an eclectic mix of some of the hottest stand-up comedy, music gigs, film screenings and cabaret – and that was just last week!

Carrying and passing the torch

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. 

David Pont, Indonesia

The concerns around Council’s plan to short-circuit effluent to the Belongil estuary centre on assessment process and impacts on the estuary.

Council ran a lesser Part 5 assessment, submitted a licence application to the EPA on 2 September and received a licence on 3 September. Almost a same-day service. Done and dusted. Why then should any of us worry?

I live overseas, but why am I moved to express concern? First, in recent years we’ve had the beautiful writings of Dr Mary Gardner in The Echo about the deep ecology of these coastal waterways and how they work, raising spiritual values as well as environmental ones. This reminds us that we won’t be healthy as a people while our waterways are in their present state, with constant fish kills.

Second, I grew up around the estuary. As a teenager my friends and I chased flathead in it, explored its quiet reaches watching ospreys swooping on mullet, and surfed the sandbanks at its entrance. I’d like to see it healthy for future generations – an entirely practical goal.

Third, the Belongil estuary is one of the most important waterways in Australia, partly because of its iconic Byron location as an example for others; but mainly because so much of its catchment was wetland, at least a third. It means that wetland drainage has had an outsize effect, but as well, when it is rehabilitated, it will deliver huge benefits. Pouring more effluent into it when proven alternatives are available is loading up a truckful of problems for the community and future councils.

This Council project is in effect a Clayton’s ocean outfall to take a planned development increase of 43 per cent, but the volumes of effluent are likely to severely damage the estuary on their way out. The situation has eerie parallels to what happened in the 1990s: Council of that day attempted to run a big increase in STP capacity with an uncertain destination for the effluent, the community said ‘No’. A Planning Commissioner was called in and ruled the existing assessment was insufficient. The result: a nine-year development moratorium.


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

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.

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.

A health check as Medicare turns 40

If you’ll forgive the earnest tone, I’d like to propose a toast. To a friend who’s almost always there when you need them most. To a system that aims to treat people fairly and respectfully. 

Byron Council staff baulk at councillors’ promise of free parking for locals

Will Byron Council deliver on its pledge to make parking permits free for locals across the Shire when paid parking comes into force in Brunswick Heads?