Carole Gamble, Mullumbimby Creek
Over the past three years a dedicated, capable, businesslike group of locals has been working towards the establishment of a natural burial site for our Shire.
Byron Shire Council has made land available on Valances Road just outside Mullumbimby and much research has been completed as it’s not a simple process – what is these days?
However, as we all know, great ideas and concepts often stall in our region. Many reports and surveys have so often been prepared with the willing participation of community consultation groups. These volunteers have contributed priceless expertise and knowledge unstintingly.
With our new band of Councillors ready to make an impact on the backlogs, Council staff need to get moving and not allow this project to languish. I know of at least one current Councillor who is behind it, and they all were last year when the land was made available.
Diane Hart, who so far has been the convenor of the amazing group, is so frustrated and disappointed with the lack of action from the Council staff member put in charge, that last week she resigned! Hopefully she will reconsider.
The matter is due for mention in this week’s Council meeting but it seems to be the lack of interest/effort by staff that is threatening this initiative. It is for the community and ticks all the boxes for our region. Things that are really important to most of us but include the reality that NSW has almost run out of burial sites in conventional cemeteries so these natural burial grounds are part of the future.
There is a Facebook page for more information and it’s where you can register your interest in the site and indicate if you would like to end your days in a beautiful place where your impact on the environment would only be positive. At the latest count this number was edging towards five hundred! Donations can also be made.
What will it take to actually make this happen in our lifetimes?
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
