The end of 2013

Thank you, 2013, it sure was a gas. Much like the all natural, organic, juicy, colourless, odourless gas that lies beneath our vast lands and has corporations and shareholders salivating. And it sure is good to cook with. But I digress. Here are some interesting events throughout the year (in no chronological order):

• Community, business and Council attempted to organise a family-friendly 2013/14 NYE after an unwieldly one in 2012/13 
• Byron Shire’s Green votes – through preferences – helped Labor’s Justine Elliot retain federal seat in September’s election.
• New Byron Council general manager appointed. GM Ken Gainger walked into the job and deals with a $12.7m deficit. 
• Grant applications to the state and feds for infrastructure were continually refused or reneged upon. On the bright side, the state did cough up $50k for late night buses in peak holiday periods.  
• NSW govt $2 million rail study into the north coast rightly copped flak as it omitted a light-rail option, among other flaws. The result opens the way for a rail trail study.  
• Byron Bay got a new library. 
• Two new festivals debuted: the Boomerang and Falls Fest. 
• 40th anniversary of the Nimbin Aquarius Festival in May. 
• The hinterland was knocked about by storms which caused landslips and long waits for repairs.
• Byron KFC proposal rejected; 4,000 signatures opposed. 
• Bangalow fought off what would have been high-density housing adjacent to the A&I Hall, while Mullumbimby residents successfully lobbied to stop five flats being built on Station Street. 
• NSW Nationals MP for Ballina Don Page was unsupportive of a 10,000-signature petition calling on the north coast region to be gasfield free. 
• Council finally submitted its draft 2012 LEP (local environment plan) to the state.
• Controversial Ocean Shores Roundhouse site stepped closer to sale as land preperation started. Selling off other council-owned land also got underway, including Belongil and industry estate.
• Belongil rockwall works delegated to GM to design interim beach access stabilisation works.
• Byron Shire towns declared themselves gasfield free after volunteers meticulously collected door to door votes.
• Byron Council rejected fluoride; Lismore and Ballina acquiesce.   
  

Farewell to those who passed and welcome to those anew.

Happy new year and a safe 2014 everyone! 

Hans Lovejoy, editor