22.6 C
Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Byron’s Mobile Wildlife Hospital has launched

Latest News

Blue skies for Bluesfest day 1

If yesterday at Bluesfest was anything to go by, it's going to be an incredible event and with the weather holding, (so far) the Easter weekend's future is looking bright.

Other News

Bay FM community radio celebrates digital upgrade

Volunteers from Byron and across the Northern Rivers celebrated nearly $100,000 worth of new studio equipment at Bay FM Community Radio station on the weekend.

Editorial – Joyous propaganda! 

The NSW Labor government marked its one year in office this week with a jubilant statement of achievements issued from Macquarie Street HQ.

Resilient Lismore’s ‘Repair to Return’ funding

On the eve of the second anniversary of the second devastating flood in 2022, Resilient Lismore has welcomed the finalisation of its funding deed with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, which will enable the continuation of its ‘Repair to Return’ program.

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!

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.

Way of the dog

One of the more disappointing aspects of the decline of Byron Bay, and I have a long list, is...

Luke Hemsworth, Dr Bree Talbot and Jimoen at the launch of the mobile Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital.

It was a star studded cast for the launch of the mobile Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital last night at the The Farm in Ewingsdale.

From Tex Perkins to Luke Hemsworth there was excitement in the air as everyone gathered to enjoy the fruits of the hard labour and fundraising that has gone into getting the project off the ground.

Local celebrity vet from Lennox Head Steven Van Mil, who is CEO of the project and has been a driving force behind it, said that the idea for the project had started about two years ago before the devastating bushfire season. The unprecedented Black Summer fires that tore through the east coast of Australia killing nearly three billion animals just confirmed the need for the mobile wildlife hospital.

Mr Van Mil highlighted the fact that the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary was seeing around 4,000 animals a year and that there was a ‘critical need for a dedicated wildlife service’ on the north coast.

At the launch, the project’s founders spoke to their vision that this is only the beginning for the wildlife hospital with plans to create a more permanent space in the future. This would serve a dual role as a hospital as well as an educational facility where locals and tourists can go to learn more about wildlife and their conservation.

Site yet to be approved

The mobile wildlife hospital went from the launch to a site next to Island Quarry on Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay where they have been given a penny lease by a local landholder. However, concerns have been raised in relation to the possible wetland zoning of the site and the surrounding area and the fact that they have started operations on the site prior to either an access approval or a development application being approved.

‘Access to the land from Ewingsdale Road is dependent on the section 138 application now lodged being approved – this includes both Council and RMS/TfNSW approvals. A development application is to follow for the use of part of the land as a mobile Wildlife Hospital,’ said a Byron Shire Council spokesperson.

‘Council’s understanding is that the mobile Wildlife Hospital will be parked on the land in between its travels to areas of need. When parked, local wildlife carers will be the primary users for wildlife drop off for emergency and or specialist care. It will not be accessed by the general public.’

‘It is understood that regeneration/replanting of this area is to follow. A further meeting with the landowner and Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital is to occur.’

Mr Van Mil has told The Echo that he has approval to operate the mobile wildlife hospital at the site.

The Echo has asked Byron Shire Council to confirm the zoning of the site and if the applications will be going on public exhibition for community feedback.


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.

3 COMMENTS

  1. The Hemsworths are like a disease. I wonder if Luke was there to apologize for his brother leveling trees for his mansion. Hypocrites.

  2. Well the real information here is that this bunch has been clearing coastal wetlands adjacent to Island Quarry without any application or approval. Do celebrity-backed projects get auto-immunity from standard planning controls? The Farm has history with this sort of thing. Simon Richardson seems to love it, but it’s certainly not Green and not particularly wildlife-friendly to go clearing wetlands without approval.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Retired local professor launches book on grief

A leading international thinker and researcher in the development of innovative sport coaching and physical education teaching has returned home to Byron Bay and is launching his first non-academic book, 'Grief and Growth', on April 4 at The Book Room in Byron. 

Resilient Lismore’s ‘Repair to Return’ funding

On the eve of the second anniversary of the second devastating flood in 2022, Resilient Lismore has welcomed the finalisation of its funding deed with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, which will enable the continuation of its ‘Repair to Return’ program.

Editorial – Joyous propaganda! 

The NSW Labor government marked its one year in office this week with a jubilant statement of achievements issued from Macquarie Street HQ.

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

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