Court rules on Belongil Beach property stabilisation
February 2, 2010
An agreement was achieved on Monday in the Land and Environment Court proceedings between the owners of a Byron Bay property and Byron Shire Council over the issue of interim beach stabilisation at Belongil Beach following the May 2009 storm event.
The council said the agreement reached between the parties confirms that maintenance and repair of the interim protection works originally constructed by the council are permissible by the property owner on their Belongil property under the council’s existing Development Consent.
The original development consent allowed for the provision of interim sand-bag works at Manfred Street.
Clandestine drug lab uncovered at Bangalow; two men arrested
January 28, 2010
Two men have been arrested today following a joint interagency operation at Byron Bay after police uncovered the first ever clandestine laboratory manufacturing safrole oil, used in the production of MDMA.
Strike Force Barsden comprises investigators from the State Crime Command’s Drug Squad, Tweed/Byron Local Area Command and Queensland Police.
The Strike Force was established in June 2009 to investigate the supply of cocaine, as well as the manufacture of safrole oil, which can be used as a precursor in the production of MDMA.
Two men have been arrested by police today including a 23-year-old man at Bangalow and a 24-year-old man at Mullumbimby. Both men were taken to Byron Bay Police Station.
Memories sought for oral history of Northern Rivers
January 28, 2010
A Southern Cross University researcher is searching for older people living from Tweed Heads to Kyogle who can share their memories of the region’s early history.
Theresa Mason has embarked on her PhD research project – an oral history of the Northern Rivers – and already has many a fascinating tale to tell, thanks to locals sharing their stories for her earlier Honours project.
Her interest in the region’s history began when she was editing and writing for The Village Journal, a local newspaper based in Rosebank, serving the rural areas between Dunoon, Federal and Bexhill.
“I came across all of these older people who had fascinating stories to tell,” she said. “Many of the stories around people’s experiences during the Great Depression and in times of war were particularly interesting.
Funding for Ballina Electorate 2010 Seniors Week programs
January 21, 2010
Seven Ballina Electorate organisations have been awarded funding under the 2010 NSW Seniors Week Grants Program, Ballina MP Don Page announced.
Mr Page said the programs would be held during NSW Seniors Week from 21 to 28 March 2010.
The successful recipients are:
- Ballina Coastal Quilters Inc. $400 for Seniors at the Gallery – Creativity in Action
- Ballina District Community Services Association $400 for ‘Celebrating Our Seniors’
- Brunswick Valley U3A $400 for ‘Picnic in the Park’
- Byron Shire Council $500 for ‘The HIP-hop Replacements’
- St Andrew’s Village Ballina $400 for ‘Seniors Gathering Together’
- The Merrymakers Inc: $870 for Seniors Week Concert
- Tintenbar Community Aid Network: $400 for ‘Stepping out in Tintenbar’
Byron Youth Service gets $108,000 in funding
January 20, 2010
Member for Ballina Don Page has announced that the Byron Youth Service has been successful in obtaining $108,000 in funding under the Links to Learning Program.
“I am very pleased to see a vital community service such as the Byron Youth Service receive this much-needed funding assistance,” Mr Page said.
“The Byron Youth Service provides an invaluable service to the youth in the Byron Community. I commend them on their commitment and tireless endeavours to support youth.”
The Links to Learning Program is designed to assist non-government community organisations to work with youth who have or are at risk of leaving school, to reach their full potential.
Lennox Head-Alstonville wins Country Surf Lifesaving championship
January 17, 2010
Far North Coast clubs have dominated on the final day of the 2010 Stramit NSW Country Surf Life Saving Championships at South West Rocks.
With the final teams events contested today, Lennox Head-Alstonville claimed the top spot in the overall pointscores, followed by Byron Bay in second place and Cudgen Headland in fourth place.
Defending title holder for the last two years, Warilla-Barrack Point, slipped to third position.
Sawtell was the best performing club from the Mid North Coast region, while the host club, South West Rocks, finished up in 11th spot.
Byron Shire councillors don’t ‘live it up’
January 14, 2010
An article in the Daily Telegraph on councils ‘living it up’ does not apply to Byron Shire Council, the council’s general manager, Graeme Faulkner, said.
He said the Byron Shire’s councillors are a hard-working group of individuals dedicated to the community.
“They are paid less than $15,000 each per year, with an additional Mayoral allowance of $33,000,” he said.
The Daily Telegraph news article reported a figure of up to $47,000 spent on ’sustenance’ within Byron Shire for the period 2008-09.
Byron Bay to host RAW Comedy heats
January 14, 2010
Every year the Melbourne International Comedy Festival mounts a nationwide search for fresh comedy talent via RAW Comedy, with two heats scheduled for Byron Bay.
“Hopeful aspirants from every corner of the continent start scanning their lives for material, hoping that their short time on the planet can filter into a killer 5-minute routine,” an organier, local comic Mandy Nolan, said.
“To date there are over 20 entrants in the Byron Bay heat of RAW comedy, prompting national organisors to schedule a second heat to take in all the talent.
“Byron Bay is one of the more regional areas but is a strong contender when it comes to RAW, with more entrants than some of the States.
Ballina MP hits out at Suffolk Park fire response plan
January 11, 2010
Ballina MP Don Page says it is ridiculous that the Suffolk Park Rural Fire Service is not the first-response unit for fires that occur in Suffolk Park.
“Currently the Byron Bay Fire Brigade would handle fires in Suffolk Park and if they were already deployed, Bangalow Fire Brigade would be contacted. Suffolk Park Rural Fire Service would be next in line,” he said.
“This is a classic case where bureaucracy has overridden common sense.
“Surely the principle should be that the closest accredited organisation should be given the responsibility for first response.
Equipment worth $160,000 recovered at Brooklet
January 6, 2010
Tweed-Byron Local Area Command Police have charged a man after stolen earthmoving equipment, valued at more than $160,000, was found on a property on the Far North Coast yesterday.
Acting on information supplied, police yesterday executed a search warrant on the rural property at Brooklet, 16km north of Ballina.
They located New Holland, Caterpillar and Toyota Huski-brand bobcats in a large shed, all allegedly stolen from properties in NSW and Queensland during 2009.
A box trailer and ride-on lawnmower, again alleged to be stolen, were also located.
A 67-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Byron Bay Police Station where he was charged with five counts of receiving stolen property.
He was granted bail to appear in Byron Bay Local Court on 22 January.
