Latest News from Around The Traps

Even with spectacular scenery and a gorgeous coastline, Byron Bay may have remained a rural hick town without two things happening. First, there was the influx of dedicated surfers from the USA and some from Oz in the sixties. Then, in 1973, the Aquarius festival happened nearby in the hinterland. Originally destined to be in Main Arm, it finally took over and recycled the dying dairy town of Nimbin.

Tricia Shantz’s terrific book Neverland documents the arrival and settling of the Surfie culture. Now, the documentary Aquarius gives a detailed and fascinating look into the creation and impact of what has been called Australia’s Woodstock. These creative ventures provide a good overview of why Byron is the way it is. Aquarius was the opening night feature at this year’s very successful Byron Bay Film Festival and will soon be rolled out into cinemas.

The Northern Rivers Community Foundation is the peak charity organisation in the Northern Rivers. This year marks its 20th year, and it has so far given away $10 Million to essential services and other not-for-profits. To celebrate this milestone, this year’s grants event will be bigger and better, and they want people to know about it and hopefully get involved. This year’s Grants Event is Thursday, 21st of November, from 4.30-7.30 pm, at the Elements of Byron. If you would like to go, contact NRCF through their website.

It is not often that a landowner is relieved when a property they own drops in value. A 15 Ha vacant land site in Belongil Beach owned by John Cornell and partner Delvene Delaney’s Hammock Investments has dropped in value by 90%. They took the NSW Valuer General to court to pay only $980 in land tax rather than $87,500.

The late John (Strop) Cornell and Film and TV partner Paul Hogan were early celebrity residents of Byron Shire, moving here in the mid-80s. Cornell was a significant investor in Byron Shire real estate and did well. He produced the Crocodile Dundee movie, which remains the highest-grossing film ever made in Australia. The Belongil Beach land was purchased in 1987 for $200,000. The significant reduction from over $8 million to $810,000 was because it was removed from the BSC’s Residential Strategy, making it unlikely to be a development site.

The new council is settling into the chamber and learning the ropes. Only three of the nine are experienced, and there is much to learn. People fond of council gossip ask what will happen if Cr Michael Lyon, who faces an impending court decision in March of next year, is found guilty. In August, he was charged with common assault and stalking. Later in October, he was again charged with breaching the AVO.

There is no legal obligation for him to resign. He still maintains he is innocent of the charges. If he does resign, the procedure is for there to be a Countback Election. This is where the resigning councillor is removed from the vote count, and the computer button calculating preferential voting is pressed once again. The vote is recounted as if that candidate was not in the race. The most likely replacements will be Max Foggon, who was second on Michael Lyon’s Independent Team. Ironically, he will become the youngest member in the chamber, as he is younger than Elia Hauge. Or, the irony of ironies could be Mark Swivel, number three on the labour team. Once mates with Cr Lyon, but now there is no love lost between the two.

Most people are not aware that Byron Shire Council has finally released its Residential Land Strategy. This important document will dictate new housing coming online for the next few decades. It promises much-needed new housing, mainly around Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads. It will include a small amount of social and affordable housing included in an innovative Community Land Trust on Saddle Road in Brunswick Heads. We need a lot more of it to keep the diverse nature of our community now that house and land prices are so high.

Byron Shire is full of interesting and unique people. I often come across residents who have amazing life stories. Chris Dewhurst is one of them, and his story of setting up Byron Bay Ballooning would be enough. But his recent book about his life includes drug running for the CIA, mountain climbing challenging peaks, and ballooning over Everest. He had to wait 50 years to tell the story, and Everest, Guns and Money is a page-turner. If you want your local adventure, take off with Chris and his team for a ballooning flight over Byron Shire with Byron Bay Ballooning. Chris will be at the Byron Bay Writers Festival this month.