THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 28 #19 Tuesday, October 15, 2013 Living Phone 02 6684 1777 Fax 02 6684 1719 Home Garden Eco lifestyle [email protected] [email protected] www.echo.net.au Page 17 CAB 23,200 copies every week AUDIT MADNESS TAKES ITS TOLL; PLEASE HAVE EXACT CHANGE Inside Gigs galore! The biggest Better ways to Booze hard Uniquely Byron: Byron Shire this compilation you’ll fi nd recover from truths explored we make a Council Notices week in the Shire – p29 addiction – p10 – p13 feature of it – p21 Page 43 Calls to help youth Toddlers demand avoid alcohol abuse GM labels and a Story & photos Eve Jeff ery It has already received over 50 written submissions and heard evi- chemical-free Shire A parliamentary committee hearing dence from more than 20 witnesses in Byron Bay last Tuesday looking in earlier public hearings. into ways to reduce alcohol abuse by Tweed-Byron police command- young people was told that more po- er Superintendent Stuart Wilkins lice, better lighting in the CBD, public told the hearing that Byron Bay has transport and a cap on liquor licences a reputation for violence and the would help stem the problem. problem of alcohol abuse has in- Up to a dozen people gave evi- creased over the past ten years. dence to the five-member panel Superintendent Wilkins suggest- of the NSW parliament’s Standing ed several ways to curb antisocial Committee on Social Issues, chaired behaviour: improve lighting in the by MLC Niall Blair and including town’s CBD, better public transport former Byron Shire mayor Jan Bar- out of there and more police. ham, who is now a member of the ‘I honestly think wholeheartedly Upper House. that the main part of Byron needs Emily B may well be concerned to learn in her post-toddler years that the same company responsible for The committee hearing at the lighting up: it is dark. I would like to producing one of the world’s deadliest chemicals also wants to control our food supply. Photo Eve Jeff ery Byron Regional Sport and Cultural see a well-lit, well-organised trans- Complex is looking at the eff ective- port hub out of that main area of the A rain-hardy crew turned out at Railway Park in Byron scrutiny or public debate. Additionally, www.huffi ngton- ness of alcohol-harm-minimisation CBD,’ he said. Bay on Saturday to join the worldwide protests against post.com reported in February 2013 that ‘Monsanto has strategies targeted at young people ‘Byron Bay could certainly use giant US biotech corporation Monsanto. Th e annual a policy that prohibits farmers from saving or reusing and measures to reduce alcohol- re- more police. If I had more police, event criticises the unfettered expansion of genetically [their] seeds once the crop is grown. Farmers must buy lated violence, including violence in I would use them. If they [police modifi ed (GM) food and chemical poisons widely used new seeds every year.’ Byron’s contingent called not only and around licensed venues. continued on page 9 for weed control. While Europe refuses GM, the US and for GM labels on all food, but the eradication of glypho- Australia have embraced the technology without much sate chemicals on Byron Shire’s parks and reserves. Tiny steps taken towards holiday letting precincts Hans Lovejoy And despite years of complaints by residents aff ected by unruly visitors, Council staff noted in Cr Dey’s mo- Attempts to revive a 2009 Council move on holiday let- tion that ‘To date, little work has been done on the ting have been resuscitated by Cr Duncan Dey. holiday let matter, but Council has resolved to deal with While light on detail, Cr Dey’s motion at Th ursday’s one specifi c unapproved tourist development at Old Council meeting ‘commits to investigating precincts Bangalow Road, Byron Bay.’ rather than continuing to discuss their possibility.’ Why so little work? According to Council’s media Crs Cubis and Di Woods voted against the motion. spokesperson, legal proceedings against holiday letting Th e motion comes amid ongoing closed meetings have been deferred, ‘until aft er results of a workshop Byron Youth Service representatives Deborah Pearse and Di Mahoney, between Council and supporters of holiday letting in- with HLO, representatives of letting agents, councillors pictured with Greens MLC Jan Barham (centre), spoke to the hearing cluding the Holiday Letting Organisation (HLO), and and staff to discuss options for regulation of holiday about the need for education and support services. the Victims of Holiday Letting (VOHL), who oppose. continued on page 2 Local News North Coast news daily: netdaily.net.au Calling on former Finnies for Kingscliff land to 25th reunion be sold by govt Comes a The NSW government has ignored a petition signed by almost 9,000 Tweed residents time… and is moving towards sell- ing off 40 acres of public land located between south King- scliff and Salt. Th e public are calling for the land to be retained as a wildlife corridor and public parkland. ‘Save Our Lot 490’ spokes- man Jerry Cornford told Th e Former Byron Bay St Finbarr students Jules and Che Devlin, Echo, ‘It’s believed any pro- who now operate the award-winning Fig Tree restaurant ceeds from the sale would go and rooms in Ewingsdale. Photo Jeff Dawson to Tweed Shire Council.’ …when you just have to refresh your Neil Young memories. That time is this Thursday night This year marks the 25th Brun says, ‘We will be holding and the place is the Byron Community Centre. Some of the protagonists mining for a heart anniversary of St Finbarr’s an alumni exhibition showing Q Read more on this story of gold are from left: Rick Fenn, Julie ‘Shanto’ Oliver, Ginny Cook, Matt Bone, Deidi Devine Christmas Fair and the school photos and memorabilia, so at and Paddy Raleigh. They will all join a list of entertainers as long as Young’s back catalogue. is welcoming back everyone if anyone has any uniforms, – echo.net.au/?p=69653 The night will raise funds for the Byron Community Centre. Photo Jeff Dawson who was involved over the photos, trophies, workbooks years to join in the fun on etc, we would love to hear Saturday December 7 from from you.’ Gabby can be con- 10am. Co-ordinator Gabby Le tacted on 0419 158 482. Whian logging ends in tragedy MASTER YANG A man contracted by the NSW Forestry Corporation staff has been arranged. saulted recognised one of the assailants. Corporation to log old-growth forest has The incident ends a tumultuous Another neighbour, Martin Novak, Bring your life fortunate power died in a work-related accident on pri- month of protests by neighbours who told Th e Echo that while he supports farm Transformation ~Transmutation vate property near Whian Whian forest, say the logging did not follow due pro- forestry, he didn’t support the way this Alchemy (TAA) west of Byron Shire. cess as many engangered species were operation was undertaken. ‘Th is whole The middle-aged man from Kyo- threatened and habitat destroyed. process has been rushed, and the police Connecting you with a Waterfall of gle sustained serious head injuries af- And the non-violent protesters met have been there to enforce the logging, Violet Flame Healing power in a fi fty ter being hit by a falling tree branch on with violence; a man sleeping alone in not as peace offi cers or for safety,’ he said. minute Energy Recharging Session Wednesday and was airlift ed to the Gold a tent on private property adjoining the He said that within 200 metres of the Coast Hospital where he was then pro- logging site was bashed and then hospi- logging site, another neighbour is milling Connect with Universal nounced dead on Th ursday night. talised on the Wednesday night follow- and harvesting timber, but doing so in, ‘a wisdom, deepen intuition Protesters at the site immediately an- ing the logging accident. Up to 12 people totally diff erent way. Clear emotional nounced a suspension of their blockade were reportedly involved in the assault ‘Th e saddest thing is that this forest blockage, Build enormous following the accident. A crime scene that caused head trauma and bleeding. will take at least 200 years to re-establish emotional strength has been established and WorkCover Another protester was also bashed in itself; in the meantime lantana and other Fulfi l your greatest desires NSW continues investigations into the a separate incident. Resident Patrick weeds will infiltrate an area that was Fully experience, achieve incident while counselling for Forestry Tatam told Th e Echo the young man as- already in perfect balance.’ & fulfi l your goals View photos, YouTube & testimonials Revived holiday letting precinct move www.masteryang.net continued from page 1 She says that never happened. at a long-term change, but conceded Where: Suff olk Park Community Hall letting.’ A forum with all stakeholders But Council’s plans may now car- there are obstacles. ‘Th ere are many peo- When: Sunday 20th October at 1pm will take place in a few weeks’ time they ry some weight aft er the NSW coali- ple in high places with vested interests Cost: $30 at the door added. tion government indicated the issue in holiday letting,’ he says. ‘We have to But much has already been done on should be dealt with locally. Addition- acknowledge that holiday letting is here BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL 0409 825 630 the topic in 2009, with a link to Council’s ally a landmark Land and Environment to stay’, he said.