So how would the proud new homeowners in Clarence Property Corporation Limited’s Wallum ‘Enviro Development’ residential estate feel if before the house mortgage is even paid off the ground is turning to swamp beneath their feet?

 

Lot 13 DP 1251383 15 Torakina Road and environs, Brunswick Heads NSW. IMAGE: Clarence Property Corporation Limited

Readers will catch a glimpse through dense tree cover of Simpsons Creek, which connects with the Brunswick River not far from the river's mouth.

On this mapping presented to Byron Shire Council on 8 February 2024, the reader can see that coastal wetlands and Simpons Creek adjoin the approximately 30.5ha development site and at times the creek comes within est. 200 meters of the proposed residential lot grid.

Wallum Estate, Torakina Road, Brunswick HeadsLot 13 DP 1251383, Revised Wallum Froglet Management Plan

Vegetation mapping with residential lot grid 

In August this year the NSW Government agency AdaptNSW released the NSW and Australian Regional Climate Modelling (NARCliM 2.0) which contain regional snapshots outlining climate projections for different NSW regions. These provide a summary of plausible future climate change in NSW relative to a baseline of average climate from 1990–2009. The projections for 2050 represent averaged data for 2040–2059 and projections for 2090 represent averaged data for 2080–2099.

The North Coast Climate Change Snapshot at

https://www.climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-08/NARCliM2-Snapshot-NorthCoast.pdf

clearly states volume ranges for sea level rise across the next 26 years (2024-2050) and across the following 40 years (2051-2090). The report expects seawater inundation heights of between 0.23m (2050) and 0.59m (2090) above the current mean sea level.

Climate Central, Coastal Risk Screening Tool, Simpsons Creek at a 0.5m sea level rise

In this mapping the projected sea level rise has already brought the ocean nearer the development site and the Simpson's Creek overflow to an est. 230m of the northern boundary of the residential lot grid by 2050. While saline creek water has entered the full length of the development site between 2051-2090 and is within less than est. 200m of the lower eastern boundary of the residential lot grid.

It doesn't take much imagination to realise that high rainfall events and storm surges will in future have a greater impact on Wallum ‘EnviroDevelopment’ Estate and with land, incapable of natural drainage likely to continue with poor drainage issues with or without climate change impacts, also likely to have the natural water table raised by persistent saltwater incursion into the Wallum wetlands, the outlook is not the rosy, bright 'sea change' life many prospective Wallum land purchasers believe they are buying.

Echo, 2 October 2024:

What’s under the hood of the environmental certification that the Wallum Brunswick Heads greenfield development relies on for its environmental credentials?

Like many developments across the nation, developer Clarence Property’s Wallum urban estate has been certified as an ‘EnviroDevelopment’.

It is clearly marked on www.wallumbrunswick.com.au, and it has been awarded accreditation across all six of its categories – water, energy, waste, materials, community and ecosystems.

A leaf is awarded for each category that has passed the technical standards.

Paid-for accreditation

This paid-for accreditation is awarded by the Sustainability and Research division of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), based in Queensland.

UDIA describes EnviroDevelopment certification (www.envirodevelopment.com.au) as ‘a scientifically-based branding system designed to make it easier for purchasers to recognise and, thereby, select more environmentally sustainable homes and lifestyles’.

To be accredited with an EnviroDevelopment certification, developers need to, ‘demonstrate that an ecological net gain will be achieved for the project in relation to local native vegetation communities and fauna habitat resources.’

Yet throughout the Save Wallum campaign, ecologists, councillors, MPs and residents have raised issue with the claims that the development will produce an ecological net gain, and say instead that threatened ecological communities (TEC) are in danger.

Frog habitat claims. According to www.envirodevelopment.com.au/projects/wallum, ‘2.6ha of high-quality endangered wallum froglet habitat will be created as part of the early site works, which is monitored and protected during subdivision construction works to ensure success’.

Yet ecologist and Save Wallum campaigner, James Barrie, says, ‘The expectation that the threatened species of “Wallum” tolerate the contentious offset arrangements such as the machine-dug ponds (that are well known to fail for these rare acid frogs), poses a very real risk of local extinction of these species’.

‘There has been considerable outcry from several notable ecologists since, with detailed reports about why this is misleading, and does not constitute a ‘ecological net gain’ in practice by any standards.’

Stormwater design

The EnviroDevelopment website also claims of Wallum: ‘The site is also subject to an innovative stormwater design outcome which utilises the drainage characteristics of the existing sandy material on the site to treat stormwater without the need for extensive networks of underground concrete pipes and pits.’

Former Byron Shire Councillor, Duncan Dey, who is also a civil engineer specialising in flood hydrology and stormwater design told The Echo, ‘Clarence Property are relying on an “innovative” concept of recharge (my term for it). This is usually just to save money, but in this case, it is because the site is too flat to drain’.

‘The lack of hydraulic gradient is bizarrely even noted in the DA Consent Conditions of May 2023, just beneath Condition 11b).

‘The site simply doesn’t offer sufficient fall to drain correctly. Hydraulic gradients of less of one per cent are generally unacceptable. This project proposes a channel way flatter than that.

‘Several eminent local ecologists have developed outstanding knowledge of the Wallum site over recent decades’, says Mr Dey.

‘They have watched this development progress down the conveyor belt of NSW Planning, and found issues with most of the ecological reports.

‘The developer’s consultants omitted entire species, as well as coming up with proposals to recreate unique habitat to replace that which will be destroyed.

The Echo asked NSW Fair Trading if they ‘had any interest in ensuring the EnviroDevelopment certification is fit-for-purpose, or if not, can you please direct The Echo to who can?’

A NSW Fair Trading spokesperson replied, ‘Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to track down and confirm a NSW agency who may be able to provide you with commentary on your request’.

ACF comment

When presented with the draft story, Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) investigator, Martine Lappan, told The Echo, ‘It is difficult to assess the integrity of an accreditation system when the application documents property developers submit are not made publicly available’.

‘A grand claim about protecting the environment may serve as a marketing tool, but that doesn’t make it scientifically accurate or even something that can be held to account under the law’, Ms Lappan added.

CP replies

Clarence Property was offered an opportunity to comment on this story.

Its CEO, Simon Kennedy, replied, ‘there are numerous factual errors in the story provided, and we dispute the ecological assessments made by Save Wallum Inc through its ecological interpreter both publicly, and those recently made under oath at the NSW parliamentary inquiry into the environment’.

‘We have followed all required environmental and bio-diversity requirements under the statutory approvals given to us to proceed with this project that will provide much needed housing for the Byron Shire’.

This story was provided to UDIA in draft form for comment numerous times, but no comment was forthcoming. [my yellow highlighting throughout this news article]

The battle continues to save Wallum Wetlands from further encroachment by developers

 

Clarence Property Corporation Limited - issuer of the PDS for Clarence Property Diversified Investment Trust (formerly Westlawn Property Trust) & Epig Lennox Property Trust - through its subsidiaries Clare Property Corporation Limited and Bayside Brunswick Pty Ltd continues to insist it has a right to swing its wrecking ball through what remains of natural landscapes in coastal areas of the NSW Northern Rivers region.

Currently it has eight largescale development projects in northern New South Wales listed on its website.

The Wallum development at Brunswick Heads is one of these sites and Lot 13 DP 1251383 and environs on Torakina Road, Brunswick Heads NSW, has been a bone of contention for years as the local community continues to resist this 'zombieDA'.

Wallum Land
IMAGE: Mac Maderski at savewallum.com

Vegetation mapping of Lot 13 DP 1251383 and environs

Echo, 29 August 2024:

Both opposing parties regarding the 126-housing Wallum development in Bayside, Brunswick Heads, are claiming a victory after the latest court decision, handed down on August 23 by Justice Bromwich.

In a statement, Save Wallum Inc, say the Federal Court upheld the stop-work injunction.

Spokesperson Svea Pitman said, ‘The main contest before the court at the further hearing of Save Wallum Inc’s interlocutory injunction application was the controversial construction of nine artificial frog ponds, which are proposed as part of the early development works’.

‘Justice Bromwich accepted that the construction of these ponds may pose a risk to the site’s Wallum sedge frog population, and has blocked any construction of the proposed ponds until a final determination of the matter.

‘The orders otherwise permit very limited works, including installation of bunting, regeneration of the seed bank along sandy tracks and weed maintenance – strictly without the use of weedicides’.

The trial is scheduled to begin October 14, Ms Pitman said.

Meanwhile, developer Clarence Property says it is ‘looking forward to progressing with its approved housing estate in the Byron Shire after the Federal Court injunction was amended to permit key works to continue’.

CEO Simon Kennedy repeated his comments around the ‘critical need for new housing in the shire that had been identified by Byron Shire Council’.

He said, ‘We believe the court’s ruling affirms our commitment to responsible development and environmental stewardship and we will continue to respect the legal process as we work towards the final determination of this matter in October’.

‘Our focus now is on ensuring safe access for our contractors and progressing with this essential project.’

Ms Pitman added, ‘This is another major win for our community and for the race to save this unique wallum ecosystem’.

High ecological value

Save Wallum advocates say they celebrated Friday’s outcome, ‘viewing it as a critical step toward protecting one of the last intact wallum heathland ecosystems in the Byron Shire’.

Ms Pitman added, ‘This is another major win for our community and for the race to save this unique wallum ecosystem’.

‘The high ecological value of this area is undeniable, with its floristic diversity, absence of invasive weeds, and the presence of so many threatened species’.

She continued, ‘Australia has the highest rate of mammal extinction globally, and in the Northern Rivers, we are on the frontline of the climate crisis.

‘It’s heartening to see the court’s decision ensuring that no destructive works can proceed at this stage.’

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Save Wallum Incorporated v Clarence Property Corporation Limited [2024] FCA 967 interim injunction ruling can be found at:

https://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FCA/2024/967.html

Byron Shire Council being less than transparent over a proposal to cut more than 30 shire residents off from a reliable town water supply as a cost cutting measure

 

Echo, 10 July 2024, Residents face being cut from Mullum’s water, excerpt:

More than 30 affected residents say their properties are at the bottom of Wilsons Creek and some areas of Mullumbimby Creek, and they were only told they will likely be cut off from town water after questioning Council staff about the Mullumbimby Water Supply Strategy.

Spokesperson for the Wilsons Water Rights Action Group (WWR) Mel Macpherson said she was shocked to find out from a neighbour about Council’s plans to remove their connection to town water without any direct written or verbal communication.

‘One would think the appropriate action for Byron Shire Council would be to talk to us individually, and let us know that their preferred water strategy means cutting us off – for the 30 residents this has drastic ramifications, we have a right to know.

‘I honestly feel the communication from Byron Council has not been acceptable at all. This decision directly affects our health, businesses, infrastructure and property values. Relying on us to scan social media or listen to the radio to find out we are getting cut off has left me baffled.

‘I only found out because my neighbour who has lived here for 90 years told me, and knew the history of the weir and local infrastructure, and noticed this in the water strategy plans......

Echo, Letters to the Editor, Losing town water access,13 July 2024:

I grew up and live in Mullumbimby, and I know locals have a strong opinion about the Byron Shire Council. I had always given them the benefit of the doubt – as it’s not an easy job. But last week I changed my mind.

Our neighbour, Ray Musgrave, alerted us and other neighbours we’d be losing town water access on our properties. At first, I thought this was simply the Mullum rumour mill, but I called around at Council and found out it was true. Without any doorknocks, phone calls, or letters, we found out dozens of residents at the bottom of Wilsons Creek, including us, would lose town water access if Mullum is connected to Rous water.

While this decision has not been officially made by Council – yet – we all know it is the likely decision. I work in media and communications, sometimes as a consultant for state and federal government, and I’ll admit that tactics are sometimes a little underhanded, but, when it comes to infrastructure and impacting households like this, there would always be doorknocks to every home at a minimum in the communications plan. So, I’m simply shocked at these sneaky tactics by our local council.

Luckily, we have all been neighbours for decades or generations here and were able to quickly agree to work together to try and save our town water. Wish us luck!

Casey Fung, Wilsons Creek

According to the Byron Shire Council website as of 15 July 2024:

Regional water supply

All urban areas in Byron Shire are supplied water from Rocky Creek Dam, which is managed by Rous County Council.

Mullumbimby is supplied from Council's Lavertys Gap Weir.

Rous County Council supplies drinking water to seven reservoirs in the Byron Shire Council from the Nightcap Water Treatment Plant.

Under the Water Supply Agreement, we are responsible for maintaining water quality in the reservoirs and reticulation system......

The Mullumbimby Water Treatment Plant provides treated, filtered, and disinfected drinking water to Mullumbimby.

The drinking water supply is sourced from Wilsons Creek via the Lavertys Gap Weir.

Water flows to the plant by gravity through a heritage-listed race, via a mountain tunnel.

Council documents indicate approximately 13 properties along Wilsons Creek Road are connected to the trunk main from the water treatment plant.

The preferred option of council staff coincides with advice contained in a Hydrosphere Consulting Pty Ltd report (updated May 2024) which clearly stated in 12.4 Option 4 - Full Connection to RCC Regional Supply:

The customers along the Wilsons Creek Road trunk main would not be serviced with this arrangement.

In an alternative scenario within Option 4 Hydro Consulting suggested an Option 4B - emergency connection to regional supply:

As an alternative, the existing RCC emergency supply pipeline could be extended to service the remaining areas of Mullumbimby as an emergency supply only. BSC would then retain Lavertys Gap Weir and WTP as the normal supply regime with future augmentation with another raw water supply source. The customers along the Wilsons Creek Road trunk main would still be serviced by the weir supply and WTP if there was sufficient water in the weir storage. [my yellow highlighting]

However, Byron Shire Council on its public exhibition webpage did not immediately draw attention to the fact that some properties may lose a reliable long-term connection to town water. 

In the first instance it presented the case thus, with the fate of Wilsons Creek Road concealed in webpage links:

Mullumbimby’s water supply scenarios

The consultant’s report short-listed four water supply scenarios, summarised below.

Each scenario has associated benefits and costs.

Council’s engineering staff recommend Scenario 3 – permanent connection to the Rous County Council water supply.

For each scenario, some factors remain the same, including:

• continued use of the weir and Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in the short term

• short-term WTP upgrades to ensure consistent, safe water supply

• extension of the Rous County Council emergency bulk water supply connection to all of Mullumbimby.

Indeed within its boasting about the benefits of what it calls "Scenario 3" it is clear that the potential loss of a long-term reliable town water supply for 30 shire residents & ratepayers is a short-term cost cutting measure.

Scenario 3 – Full connection to Rous County Council

Rous County Council is the regional water supply authority for the Byron Shire, with the exception of Mullumbimby.

Rous also supplies:

• Ballina Shire

• Lismore Shire

• Richmond Valley Shire.

Permanent connection to the Rous regional water supply would mean that water is no longer sourced from Lavertys Gap weir and the Mullumbimby water treatment plant (WTP).

As a result, there would be no need to build a new WTP at Mullumbimby.

Permanent, full connection to the regional water supply is the option recommended by the consultants and Byron Shire Council staff based on the environmental, economic and social assessment.

Benefits of full connection

Connecting to the regional supply has significant benefits over local supply scenarios. [my yellow highlighting]

Full connection offers:

• minimal environmental impact

• lower energy consumption

• reduced infrastructure modifications.

There are significant capital cost savings in avoiding the need to replace the WTP and upgrade the weir supply in addition to constructing new infrastructure. However, the ongoing costs of a regional supply are higher than local scenarios. [my yellow highlighting]

Permanent connection to the regional supply means Mullumbimby’s long-term water security is determined by Rous County Council's bulk supply system, as is the case for the rest of Byron Shire.

Byron Shire Council is scheduled to decide on its water supply strategy at its August monthly meeting.

Koonyam Range NSW: when forest dwellers don't value trees

 

IMAGE: Google Earth 11.01.24
Click on images to enlarge

There couldn't be more than a handful of residences on Boogarem Road in the middle of pristine native forest on the Koonyum Range. However, that street is gaining a reputation........

On 11 Jan 2024 the NSW Dept. of Planning and Environment announced that a person described as a local Koonyum Range resident was convicted of clearing 0.35 ha of native vegetation and constructing an unauthorised building in Mount Jerusalem National Park.

The cleared section at Boogarem Road, Koonyum Range NSW after removal of illegal dwelling. IMAGES: Echo, 12 January 2024

InsideLocal Government, 12 January 2024:

A Koonyum Range resident has been convicted and fined by Mullumbimby Local Court after failing to check property boundaries before clearing 0.35 ha of native vegetation and constructing an unauthorised building in Mount Jerusalem National Park.

The actions breach the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2019.

With fines and a costs order amounting to nearly $22,000 (including a remediation order of $8,000), the court found the local resident had direct responsibility for the offences.

“The felling of forest oaks impacts directly on the habitat and food resources of the glossy black cockatoo, a listed vulnerable species known to occur in the area,” said NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Area Manager, Jenny Atkins.

“Trees are highly valued in the Byron Shire and their removal, without permission, is not tolerated by NPWS, or the broader community. The fines and the community correction orders imposed by the magistrate in the Mullumbimby Local Court support this.

“This sends a strong and very clear message to people that before you clear land or cut down any trees or do any building work, even on your property, you should know where the property boundaries are.

“You should always check with the local council to see what is allowed and what is not.”

Mount Jerusalem National Park is home to several endangered and vulnerable plants and animals and this sentence is a reminder that native vegetation laws must be taken seriously, she said.

“The seriousness of the offences is reflected in the penalty imposed by the court which, in addition to the fines and costs, included two community correction orders of 12 months.”

In June 2022 Andrew Giles Packshaw was reported as pleading guilty and being convicted of development without consent. It appears he erected a donga.

Mirage News,16 June 2022:

A Byron Shire resident has been fined $60,000 for land clearing and removing trees from a property on the Koonyum Range west of Mullumbimby, and $10,000 for unauthorised building work.

It comes after Council was notified, in October last year, of alleged land clearing, tree removal and construction on a property on Boogarem Road.

Investigations found there was progressive land clearing between April and October last year on a 1,300m2 site including the removal of nine trees ranging in height from 15 metres to 25 metres.

An expert arborist/ecologist engaged by Council found the age of each of the trees that were cut down or pushed over was 40-50 years.

The property is in the Scenic/Escarpment zone where the clearing of land can only be done with development consent.

The offence was aggravated by the fact that the Rural Fire Service had imposed conditions providing that clearing for bushfire hazard reduction did not permit the removal of trees over three metres in height.

Ralph James, Legal Counsel, said that the court found that the impact of the clearing, and the construction of an informal shower and toilet area, had a negative impact on the natural environment and that the clearing of native vegetation and earthworks modified the site which impacted native habitats and drainage

"This land borders a national park and, not surprisingly, the area is home to a number of endangered and vulnerable plants and animals," Mr James said.

"The felling of Forest Oaks impacts directly on the habitat and food resources of the Glossy Black Cockatoo, a listed, vulnerable species known to occur in the area.

"Trees are highly valued in the Byron Shire and their removal, without permission, is not tolerated by Council, or the broader community, and the large fines imposed by the Magistrate in the Mullumbimby Local Court support this," Mr James said.

"In addition to the $60,000 fine for removing trees, the defendant was fined $10,000 for the construction of the informal shower and toilet," he said.

"The defendant has been ordered to also pay Council's legal costs of $5,000.

"I hope this sends a strong and very clear message to people that before you clear land or cut down any trees or do any building work on your property you should check with Council to see what is allowed and what is not," Mr James said.

A name change for Hottentot Crescent, Mullumbimby?

 

IMAGE: Daily Telegraph, 22 September 2023

Echo, 21 November 2023:

Changing the name of a local street because it is derived from a racist slur might seem a simple decision at first glance.

But the reality has proven more complicated when it comes to Hottentot Crescent in Mullumbimby’s Tallowwood housing estate.

The street was given its name because of the hottentot fig trees that were planted there in 1993.

But the word ‘hottentot’ itself is a racial slur that has been directed toward members of the Khoisan tribe in South Africa for hundreds of years.

Earlier this year Byron Council was approached by a local resident who argued that the crescent should be renamed.

In response to the approach Council sent letters to the 23 houses on the street asking for their views.

It received a wide range of responses, from those who felt the strongly that name should be changed, through to those who strongly believed it has become part of the local identity that has nothing to do with its racist derivation.....

Byron Shire councillors will consider the issue as Item 13.23 Possible change of road name Hottentot Crescent, Mullumbimby at its ordinary monthly meeting on Thursday 23 November 2023.

Item 13.23 carries the staff recommendation:

That Council commences the name change process for Hottentot Crescent, Mullumbimby

A suspicious person might wonder if the well-heeled owners and operators of Airbnb-style short-term rentals in Byron Bay may have been lobbying both Macquarie Street and Darcy Street to protect their lucrative income earners

A suspicious person might wonder if the well-heeled owners and operators of Airbnb-style short-term rentals in Byron Bay may have been lobbying both Macquarie Street and Darcy Street concerning Byron Shire Council’s desire to place a 60-day annual cap on short-term rentals by June 2024.

With the following consequences.......

The Echo, 9 August 2023:

Byron Shire Council risks losing its planning powers to ‘independent intervention’ if it does not ‘demonstrate how it intends to improve its housing supply’.

In an aggressive letter to Council’s general manager, Mark Arnold, Sydney-based Deputy Secretary NSW Planning, Marcus Ray, outlined what he believes is Council’s failure in fast-tracking housing supply for the area, adding that Council’s development application (DA) processing times ‘are among the slowest in the state’.

In the letter, which was provided to The Echo, Mr Ray demands that Council outline ‘commitments it intends to make over the next three, six, 12 months and beyond, to deliver at least 4,522 new and diverse homes to 2041’.

It’s a target that he says Council will fall ‘well short of’.

Where is the flood data?

The demand comes despite his own department still sitting on the long-awaited 2022 flood data that will underpin further developments.

In previous years, the NSW planning department told The Echo that housing targets are set by councils, are flexible, and not enforceable.

Regarding the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) report recommendations on short-term rental accommodation (STRA), which are yet to be adopted/rejected by NSW Labor Minister Paul Scully, Mr Ray says, ‘it remains critical for Council to demonstrate how it intends to improve its housing supply before any decision on Council’s planning proposal can be made’….

Read the full article here.

Sometimes in 2023 humour is all you have left if you live on one of the many once-sealed Northern Rivers roads

Google Earth snapshot, March 2023
Click on image to enlarge

ECHO, 18 April 2023:

I moved to the Byron Shire in 1986, the year this great little paper started expressing the views of our community. I remember back then the complaints about the state of our roads… It’s like this paralysing brain fog descends at the mere mention of our roads, and this has now been going on for decades. Throw in a couple of ‘once in a lifetime weather events’ and now we’ve got 200 road projects in waiting. Is mine one of them?

Yankee Creek Road is only 1.4 kilometres and is a dead end (in more ways than one). Last Monday night I had to tow my friends out after they tried to avoid the craters.

So far this year four different friends have said they cannot visit me anymore because they don’t feel confident negotiating the road.

There are now four sections where you have to drive offroad to avoid the potholes and craters that remain unfixed in the road.

It was really bad before the 28 February and 30 March 2022 floods, but now it’s atrocious.

The repair work to my car last week cost me $1,570; that entailed replacing the strut mounts, shock absorbers, bump stop boot kits, and of course I’m constantly visiting my mates down at Tyre Power!

So, I thought I should wave my feeble hand in the air, and I wrote to the Mayor and all councillors with photos and a detailed description of how bad things are. I did get a response from Sarah Ndiaye and Duncan Dey that the matter had been forwarded on to Byron Shire Council (BSC) staff, but no other confirmation.

Like Navaya Ellis (Echo, 29 March) I would like questions answered. These are: when will someone come and take a look at Yankee Creek Road? What classifies a ‘bad’ road versus a ‘dangerous’ one? What designates a high priority? Is there anybody out there? Yoohoo, drowning not waving!

Gosh, a courteous reply saying my letter had been received would be a good start.

I think I’m experiencing what I’ll coin FF: ‘futility fatigue’. It certainly took me out last year after nine months enduring the endless fob offs from insurance companies.

Yes, I have a beautiful new home, albeit, now a leaky one. Here, I have to thank Byron Council for giving me a ‘Completion Certificate’ when parts of my roof had no flashing – my insurance company sure loves you dudes.

Sorry, I digress… you see FF is insidious because there are so many other people with way worse war stories; I don’t have the right to winge and complain about insurances and roads when others are so much worse off.

Then FF inertia sets in and the paralysing brain fog returns, making any attempt for resolution and clarity feel like crawling across cut glass… best just give up, right?

Nup! Maybe we can generate some income to help BSC, perhaps a new reality TV show called Survivor on North Coast Roads, city dwellers can pay an exorbitant amount to be given four bald tyres and a road map of our worst roads; an experience of a life time! Spine tingling action with search and rescue at the ready.

Mishaela Simpkins, Mullum Creek