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CASINO ENVIRONMENT CENTRE THE CASINO GOODTIMES INFORMATION • NETWORKING • EVENTS the way makes a mean soy Defending the Environment and Small Business latte, then continue on past Locally-made produce: hemp oil, soap, candles, History in the making the orderly rows of tents macadamia butter, honey, eggs and more to the carpark near the Promoting Sustainable Living by Dean Draper sportsfield which may have a game of soccer or volleyball 137 BARKER STREET CASINO History is happening at happening. 0490-149-705 or 0401-237-903 Bentley – a coming together The first place to visit is the Email: [email protected] of a wide cross-section of our welcome tent near the front community under the same gate to get information on the banner, a social movement camp. Have a chat with the the likes of, we’ve never seen local Bentley farmers who are casino trading before. here every day supporting the it’s bigger inside than it looks! This is all thanks to blockade against Metgasco. the environmentalist Feel free to have a tour Good Used Furniture Ammo Boxes visionaries who have shown around the camp, visit the Gifts for Car Bisley Workwear the way along the path to Tarp Mahal at the sacred Enthusiasts Coloured Paracord sustainability and the mums fire. You might like to take Army Surplus Gemstones and dads who have worked so a leisurely stroll up the road Jewellery and beading supplies hard over the last five years to to Gates A and B to meet raise awareness of the risks the Simmos, have a cuppa of invasive unconventional with them, join in the yoga or (02) 6662-3111 gas mining. We have now more turned up the next call groups has formed an meditation class. You might cnr johnson street (bruxner hwy) and reached the tipping point and out, people from Casino, unstoppable momentum even catch a rock legend or hickey street, casino entered an exciting new phase Kyogle, Lismore and right which the mining industry two playing: so far we’ve of a real mass movement. across the Northern Rivers. and the government must seen Xavier Rudd (pictured), The community now Among them were farmers, listen to. Wolfmother, Pete Murray, Chocolate Bouquets answers the call in very large tradesmen, doctors, lawyers, When you come to Camp Ash Grunwald, John Butler, numbers. Thousands of hippies, young and old. Liberty, drive in carefully Blue King Brown and many and Gift Baskets people came together when Alone these groups are easily past our friendly traffic more. Many colours. Made to order. called to Bentley at 4am one isolated and overlooked. Now controllers. Take a right at We’re making history. Will For all occasions. Monday morning. Thousands this coalition of community the coffee shop, which by you show up at Bentley? For quality confectionery and chocolates and friendly, good old-fashioned service, see Robin at Richmond Valley Council report card Chocolate Chip by Liz Stops Confectionery, Chocolates & Tobacconist ince June 2013, when its positioning statement on Coal Seam Gas was 135 Barker Street Casino S Phone 6662-3309 abandoned, my interest has mainly been to monitor Richmond Valley Council’s possible facilitation of unconventional gas mining. Council may make many decisions that benefit the local community, however, while it insists on asserting a position of ‘not for and not against’ unconventional gas mining, this questions have almost always been non- of a bar in the DA submitted by Forest issue overrides any others. existent, obscure or diversionary. Enterprises for Metgasco’s temporary In my view, resolutions Council makes Despite major problems being raised workers camp, the General Manager Biggest Range of Family Footwear in North Coast that may oppose or facilitate the gas with Council regarding the Traffic made an assurance that no bar had been “Beat those winter blues. Put your feet into our value perfect shoes” industry will have lasting implications Control Plan proposed for the site of approved. However, the approved plan on other currently viable commercial Metgasco’s approved exploration well does include a bar. This is irresponsible enterprises as well as determining future at Bentley Road, the plan was passed in a potentially volatile situation where prospects for burgeoning businesses without any debate. Concerns included the voluntarily alcohol-free protectors that require a clean green image. Metgasco being favoured in the plan’s camp is close by. Commitments Council makes now are design, the presence of Thomas George Recently, a new DA for an expanded critical to a locality that could be full of in the committee recommending protectors camp was initially rejected promise for productive, ecologically and approval and the major safety issue of by RVC with no opportunity to address financially viable ventures providing long pedestrians placed in danger by being perceived failings, which is a denial of term, sustainable employment. confined under a crumbling cliff face. procedural fairness. Is RVC running a Clarity on RVC’s position has The latter was a matter that police, political agenda in support of Metgasco? consistently been sought during public when it was brought to their attention, Could RVC be under pressure from access time at monthly meetings but required Council to address. the State Government to force a toxic responses to talks and answers to After a question regarding provision industry on an unwilling population? DIAMOND RINGS, WATCHES, JEWELLERY The Jabiru – Australia’s largest wading bird Family Business established 80 years. by Angela Froud This bird is listed as endangered. The wetlands of The wetlands of our region the Northern Rivers region are the habitat for a wide are an important nesting variety of water birds. ground for Jabirus, who need Perhaps the most spectacular secluded dense trees next Jabirus at and exciting to see is the to water for breeding. They Doubtful Creek Jabiru or Black-necked Stork. build a large platform made This huge wading bird of sticks for a clutch of 2-5 also be seen on dams and by pollutants from fertilisers has long red legs and stands eggs. wetlands when driving along and pesticides. Wetlands up to 1.5 m in height. The The Jabiru Geenibeinga country roads, so keep a look are also under threat from neck and head are iridescent wetland in North Casino is out for them. gas field development in the black, which gleams in the named after this magnificent Wetlands are vital for the region. sunlight. The body is white, bird. Sometimes a Jabiru can survival of many kinds of If wetlands are not with black wings which span be seen from the dirt road birds, providing food and protected, we are in danger of 2.3m. Its diet consists of that passes by the wetland breeding sites. Inland species losing our magnificent Jabiru, frogs, tadpoles, freshwater area, or you can park and travel to our region during the only Australian Stork, invertebrates and plants, fish, take a walk to view more dry conditions in search of and numerous other species and eels. The long black bill bird species. Jabirus are shy, food. Our wetland habitats of birds, amphibians and Conditions Apply. Bring this coupon to the store: probes the water in search of and you should not try to have been disturbed by invertebrates which depend 122 Walker Street Casino food. get close to them. They may clearing and draining, and on this habitat. Page 12 The Nimbin GoodTimes May 2014 [email protected] THE CASINO GOODTIMES Casino Business of the Year 2014 Bat habitat under attack or trees in isolation ignore the holistic by Linda Wirf Award-winning Cafe & Restaurant M.Sc (Environmental Management) nature of the river ecology and the Open 7.30am-3.30pm Mon-Fri; 8am-noon Sat health of other species that depend Fresh local produce. Chilled atmosphere. Local staff. Richmond Valley Council plans to cut on this habitat for their survival. For Gluten-free, Vegan, Yeast-free, Vegetarian, Children. down trees along the Richmond River example, removing riparian vegetation Merlo coffee, Liquor licence in an attempt to address a perceived will allow more sunlight through the Hen’s parties, Weddings, Birthdays, Catering – BOOK NOW problem with a bat colony that has canopy, resulting in increased weed taken residence there. infestation, possibly altering water They have quoted complaints from flow which in turn can impact on fish two anonymous people to justify this habitats. action. There has been no community The bats, which are roosting along the consultation or environmental impact banks of the Richmond River, include study as required by convention prior to the threatened Grey Headed Flying this action. Instead they have reportedly Fox. It is Australia’s only endemic called on the NSW Government to flying-fox and occurs in the coastal belt ‘relax red tape’ around the culling of from Queensland to Victoria. As the bats to address the ‘problem ‘. species must forage for fruit and nectar The NSW Government in turn is where available, its distribution varies suggesting Council should remove widely between seasons and years which trees and prune vegetation as a way of means their roosts are only temporary. to this important native species. Shop 3 Casino Shopping Plaza controlling the bat colony when in fact The Grey-headed Flying-fox is vitally Therefore the solution is to preserve Email: [email protected] no proposal to alter riparian vegetation important for the regeneration and existing forests and plant more trees • MEN’S CUTS • LADIES CUTS • SPECIAL CUTS • should proceed without a full ecological genetic health of forest ecosystems and not the reverse. Obviously, the bats assessment. The suggestion by the in eastern Australia, performing of the Richmond River would rather Council and the NSW Government pollination and seed dispersal for many not share what remains of their home to act otherwise is simplistic and native trees and in turn serving as food with a population of destructive violent irresponsible.