Busy Calendar for May:
Get out your diaries and get involved.
Nudge Nudge Wink Wink – at Billinudgel pub
This is a family friendly event and held at the iconic Billinudgel Pub. The Cunning Stunts team are a group who run events and give the proceeds to charity. This one will be in aid of Billinudgel flood victims. This Sunday May 6 and starts at 2 PM until closing.
Renew Festival – Mullumbimby Showgrounds
Renew Festival is on this weekend, May 5 and 6. This is an event put on by and a fundraiser for COREM (Community-Owned Renewal Energy Mullumbimby) and the aim is to get Mullum (and then Byron Shire) into 100% renewable energy by 2020. Mayor Simon Richardson is a firm supporter of this quest. There will be speakers, demonstrations, workshops, entertainment and kids activities and it is on at the Mullum Showgrounds.
Full disclosure as I am a shareholder and customer of Enova Energy – a sister organisation to COREM – I am happy to report that this company is so far on track to deliver all that it promised. Enova is Australia’s first community-owned energy retailer. It can deliver energy supply cheaper than the big providers, and if you have solar panels it offers a higher feed-in tariff (12 cents per Kwh). Also, all profits, employment and turnover stay within the shire. Google them and sign up please – after all I am a shareholder and they are just about to pay out dividends later in the year.
FedTalk at Federal
FedTalk is a local version of the internationally popular TedTalks, which happens regularly at the Federal Hall. Thursday May 18th at 7 PM is a discussion on how to make our beautiful Byron Shire is not going to be loved to death. How do we handle the demands and pressures of development, tourism, and global forces, while not losing our heart and soul? Good question, after we solve that one we will still have time for the Middle East and cancer. I am on the panel along with Mandy Nolan, Mayor Simon Richardson and Councillor Cate Correy. Entry by donation.
PING at Ocean Shores
Tuesday May 16th I am also a guest speaker at PING – Property Investors Networking Group. Ethan Timor is a local mortgage broker and property investor who I am happy to support. Some of these property investor clubs (in the cities) are not all what they seem and try to offload overpriced, off-the-plan stock on to a gullible public. Ethan runs a good group of people who want to network and talk about property. Members of PING can support each other and learn from the speakers. I will be talking about how a buyer’s agent works and the benefits of using REBAA qualified buyer’s agent when researching property.
Tuesday May 16th at the Ocean Shores Country Club, 6.30 – 9. $15 door includes a glass of bubbly.
Bangalow Billy Cart Derby
The ever-popular Bangalow Billy Cart Derby is on again May 21 and in the main street of Bangalow. Even for those not taking part in the thrills and spills as a downhill racer its a great day out.
Mother’s Day at Byron at Byron
For those not already aware, the Byron at Byron resort has been a great advocate of community events, philanthropy and supporters of local charity organisations. You can support them back by taking a Mum to Mother’s Day lunch on May 12th. Bookings thru the website for a $69 two course lunch.
Bangalow and Mullum looking at a makeover
If you are a resident of Bangalow or Mullumbimby get ready for changes. I know that scares a lot of people as many never want to see any change (or development) in Byron Shire. But both towns are preparing for a make over and want some community consultation. Byron Shire Council is preparing a strategic forward plan for the village of Bangalow and want input into the Bangalow Village Plan on how residents walk, cycle and use their car to get around the popular historical town. If you want to get involved go to the BSC website and see the events that are planned.
The Mullumbimby Master Plan Guidance Group (MMGG) has been formed to assist with the proposed Mullumbimby Masterplan. There are thirteen community representatives (I am one) and three councillors (Mayor Simon Richardson and Councillors Basil Cameron and Jeannette Martin). Expect to see more provocations to get you involved and some kind of masterplan proposal delivered before the end of the year.
If you really want to have your say but don’t want to rub up against the great unwashed, council have a new “Have Your Say” website submission process. Just go on the BSC website and look for “Have Your Say”.
Scurrilous Gossip
Byron Bay developer of the contentious $23M Food Hub site, Bart Elias, is under an Apprehended Personal Violence Order from his ex-wife. The development on the Lismore Road just outside Bangalow is to be the new home for successful local specialty food producers Byron Bay Cookies, Brookfarm Muesli and Salumi, makers of gourmet smallgoods.
Wicked Weasel Correction
Correction from last month’s Hot Property: Peter Gifford, former bass player of Midnight Oil has already sold the Wicked Weasel business and is currently only selling the building (at the far southern end of Jonson Street behind Mitre 10). The new owners of the bikini making business are probably going to take it offshore to Fiji. Had to happen really, too bad for the local workforce – they were a big local employer.